Lowdermilk Chapter 37: Perinatal Loss, Bereavement, and Grief
Complete Study Test.
1. 1. A family is visiting two surviving ANS: D
triplets. The third triplet died 2 days Accepting that the infant is dead (in the past tense of
ago. What action indicates that the the word) demonstrates an acceptance of the reality
family has begun to grieve for the and that the family has begun to grieve. Parents of
dead infant? multiples are challenged with the task of parenting and
a. Refers to the two live infants as grieving at the same time. Referring to the two live
twins infants as twins does not acknowledge an acceptance
b. Asks about the dead triplet's cur- of the existence of their third child. Bringing in play
rent status clothes for all three infants indicates that the parents
c. Brings in play clothes for all three are still in denial regarding the death of the third
infants triplet. The death of the third infant has imposed a
d. Refers to the dead infant in the confusing and ambivalent induction into parenthood
past tense for this couple. If the two live infants are referred to
as twins and/or if play clothes for all three infants are
still considered, then the family is clearly still in denial
regarding the death of one of the triplets
2. 2. A newborn in the neonatal in- ANS: B
tensive care unit (NICU) is dying The phase of intense grief can be very diflcult, es-
of a massive infection. The parents pecially for fathers. Parents should be encouraged to
speak to the neonatologist, who in- share their feelings during the initial steps in the griev-
forms them of their son's prognosis. ing process. This father is in a phase of acute distress
When the father sees his son, he and is reaching out to the nurse as a source of direction
says, "He looks just fine to me. I can't in his grieving process. Shifting the focus is not in the
understand what all this is about." b. "This must be a difficult time
What is the most appropriate re- for you. Tell me how you're
sponse or reaction by the nurse at doing."
this time?
a. "Didn't the physician tell you
about your son's problems?"
, Lowdermilk Chapter 37: Perinatal Loss, Bereavement, and Grief
Complete Study Test.
best interest of the parent. Nursing actions may help
the parents actualize the loss of their infant through
a sharing and verbalization of their feelings of grief.
Telling the father that his son is going to die sooner or
later is dispassionate and an inappropriate statement on
the part of the nurse.
, Lowdermilk Chapter 37: Perinatal Loss, Bereavement, and Grief
Complete Study Test.
c. Quietly stand beside the infant's
father.
d. "You'll have to face up to the fact
that he is going to die sooner or lat-
er."
3. 3. During the initial acute distress ANS: C
phase of grieving, parents still must The nurse is always the client's advocate. Nurses can
make unexpected and unwanted otter support and guidance and yet leave room for the
decisions about funeral arrange- same from grandparents. In the end, however, nurses
ments and even naming the baby. should let the parents make the final decisions. For the
What is the nurse's role at this time? nurse to be able to present options regarding burial
a. To take over as much as possible and autopsy, among other issues, in a sensitive and
to relieve the pressure respectful manner is essential. The nurse should assist
b. To encourage the grandparents the parents in any way possible; however, taking over
to take over all arrangements is not the nurse's role. Grandparents
c. To ensure that the parents, them- are often called on to help make the diflcult decisions
selves, approve the final decisions guilt. Which family member is
d. To leave them alone to work most
things out
4. 4. A nurse caring for a family dur-
ing a loss might notice that a fami-
ly member is experiencing survivor
Complete Study Test.
1. 1. A family is visiting two surviving ANS: D
triplets. The third triplet died 2 days Accepting that the infant is dead (in the past tense of
ago. What action indicates that the the word) demonstrates an acceptance of the reality
family has begun to grieve for the and that the family has begun to grieve. Parents of
dead infant? multiples are challenged with the task of parenting and
a. Refers to the two live infants as grieving at the same time. Referring to the two live
twins infants as twins does not acknowledge an acceptance
b. Asks about the dead triplet's cur- of the existence of their third child. Bringing in play
rent status clothes for all three infants indicates that the parents
c. Brings in play clothes for all three are still in denial regarding the death of the third
infants triplet. The death of the third infant has imposed a
d. Refers to the dead infant in the confusing and ambivalent induction into parenthood
past tense for this couple. If the two live infants are referred to
as twins and/or if play clothes for all three infants are
still considered, then the family is clearly still in denial
regarding the death of one of the triplets
2. 2. A newborn in the neonatal in- ANS: B
tensive care unit (NICU) is dying The phase of intense grief can be very diflcult, es-
of a massive infection. The parents pecially for fathers. Parents should be encouraged to
speak to the neonatologist, who in- share their feelings during the initial steps in the griev-
forms them of their son's prognosis. ing process. This father is in a phase of acute distress
When the father sees his son, he and is reaching out to the nurse as a source of direction
says, "He looks just fine to me. I can't in his grieving process. Shifting the focus is not in the
understand what all this is about." b. "This must be a difficult time
What is the most appropriate re- for you. Tell me how you're
sponse or reaction by the nurse at doing."
this time?
a. "Didn't the physician tell you
about your son's problems?"
, Lowdermilk Chapter 37: Perinatal Loss, Bereavement, and Grief
Complete Study Test.
best interest of the parent. Nursing actions may help
the parents actualize the loss of their infant through
a sharing and verbalization of their feelings of grief.
Telling the father that his son is going to die sooner or
later is dispassionate and an inappropriate statement on
the part of the nurse.
, Lowdermilk Chapter 37: Perinatal Loss, Bereavement, and Grief
Complete Study Test.
c. Quietly stand beside the infant's
father.
d. "You'll have to face up to the fact
that he is going to die sooner or lat-
er."
3. 3. During the initial acute distress ANS: C
phase of grieving, parents still must The nurse is always the client's advocate. Nurses can
make unexpected and unwanted otter support and guidance and yet leave room for the
decisions about funeral arrange- same from grandparents. In the end, however, nurses
ments and even naming the baby. should let the parents make the final decisions. For the
What is the nurse's role at this time? nurse to be able to present options regarding burial
a. To take over as much as possible and autopsy, among other issues, in a sensitive and
to relieve the pressure respectful manner is essential. The nurse should assist
b. To encourage the grandparents the parents in any way possible; however, taking over
to take over all arrangements is not the nurse's role. Grandparents
c. To ensure that the parents, them- are often called on to help make the diflcult decisions
selves, approve the final decisions guilt. Which family member is
d. To leave them alone to work most
things out
4. 4. A nurse caring for a family dur-
ing a loss might notice that a fami-
ly member is experiencing survivor
