Patient & Family-Centered Care Flashcards

A family member calls the hospice nurse six weeks after the patient's death, describing persistent sadness, difficulty functioning, and inability to accept the loss. This presentation is consistent with:

Answer: Complicated or prolonged grief disorder requiring further assessment

Persistent, impairing grief that interferes with functioning beyond expected parameters warrants assessment for complicated or prolonged grief disorder.

Hospice bereavement services must be provided to the family for a minimum of how long after the patient's death under the Medicare Hospice Benefit?

Answer: 13 months

The Medicare Hospice Benefit requires bereavement services to be offered to surviving family members for at least 13 months following the patient's death.

A child in the family asks the hospice nurse, 'Is grandpa going to die?' The most appropriate response is:

Answer: 'Yes, grandpa's body is stopping working, and he will die soon. It's okay to feel sad.'

Honest, age-appropriate explanations help children process death without confusion or long-term psychological harm from being misled.

Which intervention BEST supports anticipatory grief in family caregivers?

Answer: Normalizing grief feelings and providing space to express fears about the impending loss

Normalizing anticipatory grief and creating a safe space for expression reduces isolation and supports the caregiver's psychological well-being.

A hospice nurse notices that an adult son has been the sole caregiver for months and appears withdrawn and tearful during visits. The priority intervention is:

Answer: Conduct a caregiver burden assessment and discuss respite options

A caregiver burden assessment identifies specific stressors and guides targeted interventions such as respite care, volunteer support, or counseling referral.

Which statement about the hospice interdisciplinary team's role in bereavement is MOST accurate?

Answer: All IDT members contribute to bereavement support, though the social worker often coordinates it

Bereavement is a shared IDT responsibility with the social worker often coordinating, but nurses and chaplains also play critical supportive roles.

A widow calls the hospice bereavement coordinator three months after her husband's death and says, 'I keep expecting to hear him come through the door.' This most likely represents:

Answer: A normal grief experience of searching and yearning

Searching and yearning for the deceased—such as expecting to see or hear them—is a common and normal component of grief in the early months.