Loss/Grief

Graves decorated for All Souls Day, Togcha Cemetery, Ipan Talofofo, Guam
photo copyright carol b. allen

On-line Reading - Practical Information concerning death and dying

Study/Discussion Questions:
1. Define loss. Identify some types of losses that an individual may experience.
2. Define grief. Identify four tasks of the grief process. Discuss the concept of anticipatory grief? Compare and contrast the theories of the grieving process presented in the text. How might application of these theories direct the nurse to assist the client in moving through the grieving process? How might application of these theories interfere with the client's progress?
3. Discuss factors that influence the grieving process. How do mainstream American cultural beliefs and values about loss, death and grief influence the enactment of the grieving process? Do men and women grieve differently? What evidence do you have to support your contention? How does the culture of nursing influence nurse's grief responses in clinical settings?
4. Describe approaches to assessing clients and families for responses to loss and impending loss.
5. Identify three-part nursing diagnoses for persons experiencing loss and grief.
6. State long and short-term goals and outcomes for persons experiencing grief and loss.
7. Describe individualized interventions for persons experiencing loss and grief.
8. Describe the physiologic and behavioral signs that indicate that death is imminent.
9. Describe interventions to support clients and family members during the dying process.
10. Describe interventions to support family and friends in the first hour following death.
11. List the five things of relationship completion as suggested by the Hospice Association.

Interesting Web Sites: The WEBster Links to lots of sites relative to death and dying
http://cyberspy.com/~webster/index.html

Men's Grief explores differences in grief expression by men
http://bereavement.org.mutual.htm

Calendar

Syllabus