Children of a widow confer with the nurse because their mother repeatedly tells details of finding her husband not breathing, performing CPR, the trip to the hospital, and seeing him pronounced dead

Question

Family members are concerned that this is traumatic to others hearing the story and ask, "What can we do?" The nurse should counsel the family that: a. they should express their feelings to their mother and ask her not to retell the story.
b. the retelling should be limited to once daily to avoid unnecessary stimulation.
c. repeating the story and her feelings is a helpful and necessary part of grieving.
d. retelling of memories is expected as part of the aging process.

Answer 1

C
Nurses are encouraged to tell bereaved patients that telling the personal story of loss as many times as needed is acceptable and healthy because repetition is a helpful and necessary part of grieving.