Children of a widowed parent confer with the nurse; their surviving parent repeatedly relates the details of finding the deceased parent not breathing, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), going to the hospital by ambulance,
and seeing the pronouncement of death. The family asks, "What can we do?" The nurse should counsel the family:
a. they should share their feelings with the surviving parent and ask for the retelling to stop.
b. retelling the story should be limited to once daily to avoid unnecessary stimulation.
c. retelling memories is to be expected as part of the aging process.
d. repeating the story is a helpful and a necessary part of grieving.
ANS: C
Nurses are encouraged to tell bereaved patients that telling the personal story of loss as many times as needed is acceptable and healthy; repetition is a helpful and necessary part of grieving.
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