Chapter 16: Bereavement Test
Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A grief reaction that interferes with life’s functions is:
a. mourning.
b. anticipatory grief.
c. bereavement.
d. dysfunctional grief.
ANS: D
Dysfunctional grief is the continued expression of unresolved issues and symptoms that
interfere with life’s functions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 247-248 OBJ: 3
TOP: Dysfunctional grief KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
2. After giving birth to a stillborn baby, the woman says, “I just painted the baby’s room. Do you
think that had an influence on my baby’s death?” The best response to this woman is: a. “No,
that’s an old wives’ tale.”
b. “Maybe. The excessive exertion may have caused the loss of the baby.”
c. “Looking for answers to questions like that will prolong your grief.”
d. “I can understand your need to find an answer to what caused this.”
ANS: D
Clear information should be provided about the cause of death. Part of the grief process for
bereaved parents is figuring out what happened, their role in the loss, why it happened to
them, and why it happened to their baby. The health-care worker needs to recognize that these
questions must be answered by the bereaved themselves as part of their healing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 251 OBJ: 8
TOP: Pregnancy and grief KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
3. The statement that would be least therapeutic to say to the bereaved mother at the death of her
infant son would be:
a. “I have called your husband. He will be here soon.”
b. “You can stay with him and hold him if you wish.”
c. “He was a very special little boy to me.”
d. “Fortunately he is not suffering anymore.”
, ANS: D
Health-care workers can facilitate the grief process by having a basic understanding of the
process, by talking with family members, and by supporting the family’s efforts to cope,
adapt, and grieve. A comment such as “be glad he is not suffering” is nontherapeutic. Sharing
their own feelings of loss is supportive.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 249, Table 16-4
OBJ: 10 TOP: Role of the health-care worker
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
4. After the death of an 80-year-old Jewish man, the health-care worker is aware that while the
family is waiting for the funeral home to come for the body, the deceased is: a. covered by a
ceremonial cloth.
b. prepared for burial on the next Saturday.
c. blessed by placing a basil leaf on his tongue.
d. never left alone.
ANS: D
The Jewish religion requires that the body be buried within 24 hours of death, not be left
alone, and not be moved on a Saturday.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 247, Table 16-2
OBJ: 4 TOP: Jewish death rituals
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
5. At the time of a child’s death, a “memory kit” is made for the parents. The most appropriate
items in such a kit would be:
a. the hospital identification bracelet.
b. a curl of the baby’s hair.
c. the pacifier used to quiet the baby.
d. the small hospital blanket used to cover the baby.
ANS: B
The recognition of the child as a separate person is helpful. The preservation of a “memory
kit” made up of carefully selected photos or a curl of hair is thoughtful.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 250 OBJ: 10
, TOP: Helping the grieving survivors KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation MSC:
NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
6. The health-care worker can provide the best support to a family experiencing anticipatory grief
related to the imminent death of a loved one by: a. discouraging premature expressions of grief.
b. suggesting activities to cheer up the family.
c. attempting to “lighten the mood.”
d. being available to the family.
ANS: D
Health-care workers need to be available to the family to discuss the grieving process and
provide opportunities for the family to express emotions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 247 OBJ: 10
TOP: Grief process KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
7. A man whose wife died 6 months ago says that he sometimes still “hears” his wife’s voice and
has trouble sleeping and does not feel like socializing. The health-care worker recognizes that:
a. these complaints are part of a normal grief response.
b. the pain of the loss should be less by this time.
c. these responses are more typical immediately after the death.
d. this grieving is excessive and should be evaluated.
ANS: A
These responses are typical of early grief. As family members move through the bereavement
process, they will exhibit physical signs of weight loss and insomnia, confusion, and inability
to concentrate and social withdrawal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 244 OBJ: 5
TOP: Normal grief responses KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
8. Several health-care workers have requested to attend the funeral of a patient for whom they felt
especially close. The supervisor recognizes that attending the funeral is: a. appropriate, because
families always expect this expression of concern.
b. appropriate, because it can assist in the resolution of personal grief.
c. inappropriate, because it is unprofessional.
d. inappropriate, because it increases the potential for burnout.
ANS: B
Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A grief reaction that interferes with life’s functions is:
a. mourning.
b. anticipatory grief.
c. bereavement.
d. dysfunctional grief.
ANS: D
Dysfunctional grief is the continued expression of unresolved issues and symptoms that
interfere with life’s functions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 247-248 OBJ: 3
TOP: Dysfunctional grief KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
2. After giving birth to a stillborn baby, the woman says, “I just painted the baby’s room. Do you
think that had an influence on my baby’s death?” The best response to this woman is: a. “No,
that’s an old wives’ tale.”
b. “Maybe. The excessive exertion may have caused the loss of the baby.”
c. “Looking for answers to questions like that will prolong your grief.”
d. “I can understand your need to find an answer to what caused this.”
ANS: D
Clear information should be provided about the cause of death. Part of the grief process for
bereaved parents is figuring out what happened, their role in the loss, why it happened to
them, and why it happened to their baby. The health-care worker needs to recognize that these
questions must be answered by the bereaved themselves as part of their healing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 251 OBJ: 8
TOP: Pregnancy and grief KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
3. The statement that would be least therapeutic to say to the bereaved mother at the death of her
infant son would be:
a. “I have called your husband. He will be here soon.”
b. “You can stay with him and hold him if you wish.”
c. “He was a very special little boy to me.”
d. “Fortunately he is not suffering anymore.”
, ANS: D
Health-care workers can facilitate the grief process by having a basic understanding of the
process, by talking with family members, and by supporting the family’s efforts to cope,
adapt, and grieve. A comment such as “be glad he is not suffering” is nontherapeutic. Sharing
their own feelings of loss is supportive.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 249, Table 16-4
OBJ: 10 TOP: Role of the health-care worker
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
4. After the death of an 80-year-old Jewish man, the health-care worker is aware that while the
family is waiting for the funeral home to come for the body, the deceased is: a. covered by a
ceremonial cloth.
b. prepared for burial on the next Saturday.
c. blessed by placing a basil leaf on his tongue.
d. never left alone.
ANS: D
The Jewish religion requires that the body be buried within 24 hours of death, not be left
alone, and not be moved on a Saturday.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 247, Table 16-2
OBJ: 4 TOP: Jewish death rituals
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
5. At the time of a child’s death, a “memory kit” is made for the parents. The most appropriate
items in such a kit would be:
a. the hospital identification bracelet.
b. a curl of the baby’s hair.
c. the pacifier used to quiet the baby.
d. the small hospital blanket used to cover the baby.
ANS: B
The recognition of the child as a separate person is helpful. The preservation of a “memory
kit” made up of carefully selected photos or a curl of hair is thoughtful.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 250 OBJ: 10
, TOP: Helping the grieving survivors KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation MSC:
NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
6. The health-care worker can provide the best support to a family experiencing anticipatory grief
related to the imminent death of a loved one by: a. discouraging premature expressions of grief.
b. suggesting activities to cheer up the family.
c. attempting to “lighten the mood.”
d. being available to the family.
ANS: D
Health-care workers need to be available to the family to discuss the grieving process and
provide opportunities for the family to express emotions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 247 OBJ: 10
TOP: Grief process KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
7. A man whose wife died 6 months ago says that he sometimes still “hears” his wife’s voice and
has trouble sleeping and does not feel like socializing. The health-care worker recognizes that:
a. these complaints are part of a normal grief response.
b. the pain of the loss should be less by this time.
c. these responses are more typical immediately after the death.
d. this grieving is excessive and should be evaluated.
ANS: A
These responses are typical of early grief. As family members move through the bereavement
process, they will exhibit physical signs of weight loss and insomnia, confusion, and inability
to concentrate and social withdrawal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 244 OBJ: 5
TOP: Normal grief responses KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation
8. Several health-care workers have requested to attend the funeral of a patient for whom they felt
especially close. The supervisor recognizes that attending the funeral is: a. appropriate, because
families always expect this expression of concern.
b. appropriate, because it can assist in the resolution of personal grief.
c. inappropriate, because it is unprofessional.
d. inappropriate, because it increases the potential for burnout.
ANS: B
