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NCLEX · Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life

A nurse is caring for a client who recently lost a spouse and is experiencing grief. Which nursing action is most appropriate?

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Correct answer

Provide a supportive presence, allow the client to express feelings, and acknowledge that grief is a normal process

  1. A Provide a supportive presence, allow the client to express feelings, and acknowledge that grief is a normal process
  2. B Tell the client to move on quickly
  3. C Avoid mentioning the deceased spouse
  4. D Tell the client exactly how they should feel

Why this is the answer

For a grieving client, the most appropriate action is to provide a SUPPORTIVE PRESENCE, ALLOW the client to express feelings, and ACKNOWLEDGE that grief is a NORMAL process. NCLEX-PN psychosocial/grief and loss. Therapeutic grief support: active listening, being present, allowing expression of emotions (sadness, anger, guilt), avoiding judgment, not rushing the process, and recognizing that grief is individual (no fixed timeline).

Avoid: telling the client to 'move on,' minimizing the loss, avoiding the topic, or dictating how they should feel. KÜBLER-ROSS stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) are not strictly linear. Supporting healthy grieving without rushing or dismissing it is a tested psychosocial concept.

Source: NCLEX-PN Psychosocial — Grief and Loss

Practice more questions

This question is from our NCLEX Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life and other topics.

Take the PN: Psychosocial Integrity practice test →

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.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

Related questions

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A client with terminal illness asks the nurse, 'Am I going to die soon?' The nurse is unsure of the exact prognosis. Which response is MOST appropriate?

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