Question

Which of the following statements is an example of the open awareness context of family interactions in response to a life-threatening illness?

A. Death is acknowledged and discussed.
B. Both the patient and others act as if the patient will recover.
C. A dying person tests family members in order to elicit information.
D. Not telling the terminally ill patient that he or she is likely to die, but being open with the staff.

Answer 1

In the context of family interactions with a life-threatening illness, open awareness is exemplified when death is openly acknowledged and discussed, allowing patients and families to face the reality together.

Step-by-step explanation:

An example of the open awareness context of family interactions in response to a life-threatening illness is when death is acknowledged and discussed. This approach allows for the patient and their family to confront the end-of-life situation together and to communicate openly about the circumstances, feelings, and decisions that need to be made. This stands in contrast to other contexts such as closed awareness, where the patient is not told of their condition, or mutual pretense, where everyone knows but acts as if recovery is possible. The open awareness context allows for honest interactions and the ability to provide emotional support and make practical choices, like considering hospice care, understanding the stages of grief as described by Elisabeth Küber-Ross, and expressing final wishes.