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The children caregivers of an elderly patient whose death is imminent have not left the bedside for the past 36 hours. In the nurse's assessment of the family, what findings indicate the potential for an abnormal grief reaction to occur. Select all that apply.

a. Family cannot express their feelings to one another.
b. Dying patient is becoming more restless and agitated
c. A family member is going through a difficult divorce
d. Family talks with and reassures the patient at frequent intervals.

User Yaqoob
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Final answer:

Indicators of potential for an abnormal grief reaction include the family's inability to express feelings to one another and if a family member is dealing with a difficult divorce. Restlessness in the patient is related to their own end-of-life experience, and reassurance given to the patient is a positive behavior. Hospice care provides a supportive approach to end-of-life, and the five stages of grief offer insights into the grieving process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concern about the potential for an abnormal grief reaction in the family of a dying patient arises from several possible indicators. Among the listed options, the findings that may indicate the potential for an abnormal grief reaction include: a) if the family cannot express their feelings to one another, which suggests a communication barrier that could interfere with healthy grieving processes; and c) if a family member is going through a difficult divorce, which may add complex emotional stress and could impede the necessary focus and support during the grieving period.

The patient becoming more restless and agitated (option b) is a separate concern related to the patient's own end-of-life experience rather than indicating the family's potential grief response. Reassuring the patient (option d) suggests a positive, supportive behavior and does not typically indicate an abnormal grief reaction.

Hospice care focuses on providing compassionate care to individuals at the end of life, ensuring dignity and comfort through pain management and emotional support. The five stages of grief, as described by Elisabeth Kü-bler-Ross, include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While not everyone experiences all stages or in the same order, these stages provide a framework for understanding the process of grief.

User William Xifaras
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