,NUR253/NUR 253 Exam 2 | Mental Health | Galen
College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. A patient whose spouse died 6 months ago tells the nurse, "I still feel so empty inside. I don't know
how to go on without them." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?**
A) "You should be feeling better by now. It's been 6 months."
B) "Tell me more about what life has been like for you since your spouse died."
C) "Have you considered joining a support group?"
D) "Why do you think you are still feeling this way?"
Correct Answer: "Tell me more about what life has been like for you since your spouse died."
Rationale: This open-ended response encourages the patient to express their feelings and explore their
grief experience without judgment. It validates the patient's emotions and facilitates therapeutic
communication. Telling the patient how they "should" feel is dismissive, and asking "why" can be
perceived as accusatory.
**2. A nurse is facilitating a grief support group. A group member states, "I can't believe my daughter is
gone. I keep expecting her to walk through the door." This statement is most consistent with which
stage of grief according to Kübler-Ross?**
A) Anger
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Denial
Rationale: Denial is the first stage of Kübler-Ross's grief model, characterized by shock and disbelief. The
statement reflects an inability to accept the reality of the loss. The patient is using denial as a defense
mechanism to protect against the overwhelming pain of the loss.
,**3. A patient who is terminally ill states, "If I can just live long enough to see my daughter get married, I
will be at peace." This statement reflects which stage of grief?**
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance
Correct Answer: Bargaining
Rationale: Bargaining is characterized by attempts to negotiate for more time or a better outcome, often
with a higher power. The statement reflects a desire to postpone death in exchange for a meaningful
event. This is a common coping mechanism in the dying process.
**4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing anticipatory grief. Which situation best describes
anticipatory grief?**
A) Grief that occurs after a sudden, unexpected death
B) Grief that occurs before an actual loss, such as when a loved one has a terminal illness
C) Grief that is not acknowledged by society
D) Grief that becomes chronic and debilitating
Correct Answer: Grief that occurs before an actual loss, such as when a loved one has a terminal illness
Rationale: Anticipatory grief is the process of grieving that occurs before an actual loss. It is common
when a loved one has a terminal illness or is approaching death. This type of grief allows individuals to
begin the mourning process in advance.
**5. A patient's spouse died 2 years ago, but the patient still experiences intense grief and is unable to
function normally. This is most consistent with:**
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Complicated grief
, D) Normal grief
Correct Answer: Complicated grief
Rationale: Complicated grief (also called prolonged grief disorder) occurs when the grieving process is
prolonged and interferes with daily functioning. It is characterized by intense, persistent grief that does
not improve over time. Normal grief typically resolves within 6-12 months.
**6. A patient is grieving the loss of a partner in a same-sex relationship. The patient's family does not
acknowledge the relationship and excludes the patient from funeral planning. This is an example of:**
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Complicated grief
D) Normal grief
Correct Answer: Disenfranchised grief
Rationale: Disenfranchised grief occurs when a loss is not socially recognized or validated. Same-sex
relationships, miscarriages, and loss of a pet are common examples. This type of grief can be particularly
difficult because the grieving person lacks social support.
**7. The nurse is caring for a patient who is in the acceptance stage of dying. Which nursing intervention
is most appropriate?**
A) Encourage the patient to fight the illness
B) Provide a calm, supportive presence
C) Suggest the patient seek a second opinion
D) Encourage the patient to talk about their anger
Correct Answer: Provide a calm, supportive presence
College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. A patient whose spouse died 6 months ago tells the nurse, "I still feel so empty inside. I don't know
how to go on without them." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?**
A) "You should be feeling better by now. It's been 6 months."
B) "Tell me more about what life has been like for you since your spouse died."
C) "Have you considered joining a support group?"
D) "Why do you think you are still feeling this way?"
Correct Answer: "Tell me more about what life has been like for you since your spouse died."
Rationale: This open-ended response encourages the patient to express their feelings and explore their
grief experience without judgment. It validates the patient's emotions and facilitates therapeutic
communication. Telling the patient how they "should" feel is dismissive, and asking "why" can be
perceived as accusatory.
**2. A nurse is facilitating a grief support group. A group member states, "I can't believe my daughter is
gone. I keep expecting her to walk through the door." This statement is most consistent with which
stage of grief according to Kübler-Ross?**
A) Anger
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Denial
Rationale: Denial is the first stage of Kübler-Ross's grief model, characterized by shock and disbelief. The
statement reflects an inability to accept the reality of the loss. The patient is using denial as a defense
mechanism to protect against the overwhelming pain of the loss.
,**3. A patient who is terminally ill states, "If I can just live long enough to see my daughter get married, I
will be at peace." This statement reflects which stage of grief?**
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance
Correct Answer: Bargaining
Rationale: Bargaining is characterized by attempts to negotiate for more time or a better outcome, often
with a higher power. The statement reflects a desire to postpone death in exchange for a meaningful
event. This is a common coping mechanism in the dying process.
**4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing anticipatory grief. Which situation best describes
anticipatory grief?**
A) Grief that occurs after a sudden, unexpected death
B) Grief that occurs before an actual loss, such as when a loved one has a terminal illness
C) Grief that is not acknowledged by society
D) Grief that becomes chronic and debilitating
Correct Answer: Grief that occurs before an actual loss, such as when a loved one has a terminal illness
Rationale: Anticipatory grief is the process of grieving that occurs before an actual loss. It is common
when a loved one has a terminal illness or is approaching death. This type of grief allows individuals to
begin the mourning process in advance.
**5. A patient's spouse died 2 years ago, but the patient still experiences intense grief and is unable to
function normally. This is most consistent with:**
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Complicated grief
, D) Normal grief
Correct Answer: Complicated grief
Rationale: Complicated grief (also called prolonged grief disorder) occurs when the grieving process is
prolonged and interferes with daily functioning. It is characterized by intense, persistent grief that does
not improve over time. Normal grief typically resolves within 6-12 months.
**6. A patient is grieving the loss of a partner in a same-sex relationship. The patient's family does not
acknowledge the relationship and excludes the patient from funeral planning. This is an example of:**
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Complicated grief
D) Normal grief
Correct Answer: Disenfranchised grief
Rationale: Disenfranchised grief occurs when a loss is not socially recognized or validated. Same-sex
relationships, miscarriages, and loss of a pet are common examples. This type of grief can be particularly
difficult because the grieving person lacks social support.
**7. The nurse is caring for a patient who is in the acceptance stage of dying. Which nursing intervention
is most appropriate?**
A) Encourage the patient to fight the illness
B) Provide a calm, supportive presence
C) Suggest the patient seek a second opinion
D) Encourage the patient to talk about their anger
Correct Answer: Provide a calm, supportive presence
