Final answer:
In the letting-go phase, it's recommended that an RN should encourage the expression of feelings, provide distractions, and offer counseling services, addressing both psychosocial needs and the emotional support network.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the letting-go phase, a Registered Nurse (RN) should encourage the expression of feelings, provide distraction if needed, and offer counseling services. This approach addresses the psychosocial needs of the patient, supporting their emotional support network.
Five Stages of Grief
- Denial: The person may refuse to accept reality or facts, saying things like "This can't be happening."
- Anger: The individual may become irritable, saying, "Why me? It's not fair!"
- Bargaining: They might seek to negotiate a way out of their distress, saying, "Just let me live to see my child graduate."
- Depression: Feelings of sadness, regret, fear, and uncertainty may dominate, leading to statements like, "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"
- Acceptance: Eventually, the person may come to terms with the grief, saying, "I'm at peace with what happened."
The purpose of hospice care is to provide a framework for care-giving and care-receiving behavior, and for the exchange of information on matters of mutual interest and concern, focusing on comfort and quality of life rather than curing an illness.