The newly graduated nurse is assigned to his or her first dying patient. How can the nurse best prepare to care for this patient?
a. Complete a course dealing with death and dying.
b. Control his or her own emotions about death.
c. Draw on the experience of the death of a loved one.
d. Develop an understanding of his or her own feelings about death.
D
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A Although coursework on death and dying may add to the nurse's knowledge base, it does not best prepare the nurse for caring for a dying patient. The nurse needs to have an awareness of his or her own feelings about death first, as death can raise many emotions.
B Being able to control one's own emotions is important; however, it is unlikely that the nurse would be able to do so if he or she has not first developed a personal understanding of his or her own feelings about death.
C Experiencing the death of a loved one is not a prerequisite to caring for a dying patient. Experiencing death may help an individual mature in dealing with loss, or it may bring up many negative emotions if complicated grief is present. The nurse is best prepared by first developing an understanding of his or her own feelings about death.
D When caring for patients experiencing grief, it is important for the nurse to assess his or her own emotional well-being and to understand his or her own feelings about death. The nurse who is aware of his or her own feelings will be less likely to place personal situations and values before those of the patient.
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