NCLEX · Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life

Kübler-Ross identified five stages of grief. Which stage is characterised by making promises (to God, a doctor, or fate) in exchange for more time or recovery?

Correct answer

Bargaining — attempting to negotiate or make deals to change the situation or delay loss; common in terminal illness ('If I can just see my daughter's wedding, then I'll accept it')

  1. A Denial
  2. B Anger
  3. C Depression
  4. D Bargaining — attempting to negotiate or make deals to change the situation or delay loss; common in terminal illness ('If I can just see my daughter's wedding, then I'll accept it')

Why this is the answer

KÜBLER-ROSS FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF:

Denial: 'This isn't happening'.

Anger: 'Why me? This isn't fair'.

Bargaining: Negotiating with God, fate, or medical providers for more time or a different outcome.

Depression: Withdrawal, sadness, anticipatory grief.

Acceptance: Coming to terms with the reality.

Important nursing notes: Stages are not linear — patients may skip stages, revisit them, or experience multiple simultaneously; not everyone reaches acceptance; the model is descriptive, not prescriptive.

Bargaining: Often a sign the patient needs more discussion about their prognosis or unresolved life concerns — what does the patient most want to live to see? Addressing those wishes (as much as possible) can reduce bargaining-stage distress. Hospice and palliative care social workers are invaluable resources for patients stuck in grief stages.

Source: NCLEX-PN PS — Grief Stages, Kübler-Ross Bargaining

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About this topic: Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life

Grief, loss and end-of-life questions cover stages and types of grief, supporting a dying client and family, comfort care, advance directives and the nurse's own responses to loss. This is one of 13 PN: Psychosocial Integrity questions on grief, loss, and end-of-life, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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