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The nurse in an emergency department was caring for an adolescent who died following a motor vehicle crash. Which of the following reactions should the nurse expect the client's 10-year-old sibling to exhibit?

A: The sibling believes the client will wake up in a few hours.
B: The sibling is curious about what will happen to the client's body.
C: The sibling will continue to treat the client as though he were still alive.
D: The sibling will alienate themselves from her family and friends.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The nurse may expect various emotional reactions from the 10-year-old sibling after losing a loved one, with curiosity (Option B) or denial (Option A, C) being plausible responses. Emotional reactions to death can vary based on personal factors, with understanding and support being key to managing grief.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in an emergency department may expect the client's 10-year-old sibling to exhibit various emotional reactions after the sudden loss of a loved one due to a motor vehicle crash. One possible reaction is Option B: The sibling is curious about what will happen to the client's body. Children at this age may not fully understand the finality of death and can display a range of reactions from curiosity to denial. It is less likely for a 10-year-old to fully grasp the concept of death leading to Option A, believing that the adolescent will wake up after a few hours. The sibling treating the client as though they were still alive (Option C) can happen as part of the denial phase, and while Option D could occur, it is not a universal reaction.

Understanding the emotional reactions of loss is important, as they can vary widely among individuals. Factors such as personal beliefs, religious or spiritual support, and the manner of the loved ones' death can contribute significantly to how someone copes with loss. In the United States, death is often viewed as a loss rather than a natural or tranquil transition and may provoke a number of emotional responses, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, as described by the Kübler-Ross model.

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