Question

A client diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder states to the nurse, "All those wonderful people died, and yet I was allowed to live." Which is the client experiencing?

1) Denial
2) Social isolation
3) Anger
4) Survivor's guilt

Answer 1

The client expressing guilt over surviving while others died is experiencing survivor's guilt, which is commonly seen in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This does not align with the five stages of grief, but rather relates to trauma and the search for understanding survival (Option 4).

Step-by-step explanation:

The client experiencing feelings of guilt for surviving when others have died is exhibiting symptoms of survivor's guilt.

Survivor's guilt is a common reaction in people who have lived through traumatic events where others have not survived. It is particularly noted among those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The feelings of guilt can stem from thoughts that they should have done more to help others, that they do not deserve to live while others died, or that their survival is unfair.

In the context of the five stages of grief proposed by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, survivor's guilt does not neatly fit into these stages, which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Survivor's guilt is more specifically related to the trauma and looking for reasons or understanding about one's survival. In PTSD treatment, addressing these feelings of guilt is essential for the healing process.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.