NCLEX-Style Quiz: Grief and Loss

A 4-year-old child recently lost a sibling. Which behavior should the nurse expect during the grieving process?

• Expressing understanding of the finality of death

• Acting out with aggression and defiance

• Magical thinking that the sibling may reappear

• Withdrawal from social activities and peers

A nurse is assessing a grieving parent who lost an infant 8 months ago. The parent reports feeling hopeless, avoiding reminders, and neglecting daily tasks. Which type of grief is this most indicative of?

• Normal grief

• Disenfranchised grief

• Maladaptive (complicated) grief

• Anticipatory grief

Which intervention is most appropriate for a grieving 7-year-old child who is experiencing stomachaches and school avoidance after a parent's death?

• Encourage verbalization of feelings only

• Schedule daily visits with a school counselor

• Use art or play therapy techniques

• Offer reassurance that the parent may return

A nurse notices that a bereaved teen is isolating, showing aggression, and refusing to talk about the recent death of a friend. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• Refer the teen to a grief support group for children

• Encourage journaling as a private expression outlet

• Allow the teen to grieve alone for a few weeks

• Educate the teen on the stages of grief

Which of the following indicates normal grief rather than clinical depression?

• Loss of appetite and inability to find joy in any activities

• Persistent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness

• Occasional guilt and sadness related to the loss

• Daily crying spells for more than 6 weeks

Which statement by a nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication when supporting a grieving parent?

• I know exactly how you feel. I lost someone once too.

• Let’s talk about your loss, but try to stay strong for your family.

• I’m here for you. Would you like to talk about what you’re feeling?

• This will get easier over time, you’ll see.

A patient expresses guilt after deciding to withdraw life support for their terminally ill infant. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

• Recommend the patient delay making final decisions

• Encourage the patient to speak with a hospital lawyer

• Provide reassurance and offer spiritual or counseling support

• Inform the patient that guilt is unnecessary

Which response would indicate complicated grief in a 10-year-old child?

• Asking frequent questions about death

• Crying during quiet moments at school

• Talking to an imaginary version of the deceased parent

• Persistent poor school performance and violent outbursts

Which is the nurse’s priority when providing care to a family who just experienced a perinatal loss?

• Offer education about funeral services

• Provide privacy and time with the infant

• Recommend joining a support group immediately

• Refer the family to child protective services

A nurse caring for a dying child is feeling emotionally overwhelmed. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

• Avoid further pediatric hospice assignments

• Express feelings during interdisciplinary debriefings

• Keep feelings private to maintain professionalism

• Request a leave of absence from clinical work