Child Life Grief and Bereavement Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 4-year-old whose sibling recently died in the hospital tells a Child Life Specialist, 'My brother is sleeping. When is he coming home to play?' This statement primarily reflects which aspect of a preschooler's understanding of death?

Accepted Answer

A belief in the reversibility of death.

Answer

Preschool-aged children (3-6 years) often view death as temporary and reversible, similar to sleeping or going on a trip. Their cognitive development, characterized by magical thinking, does not yet allow for the comprehension of death's finality. The child's question about their brother coming home indicates they believe the separation is not permanent.

Question 2

A Child Life Specialist is helping a bereaved family create a memory box with photos, the patient's favorite blanket, and handprint molds. This intervention primarily supports which of J. William Worden's tasks of mourning?

Accepted Answer

To find an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new life.

Answer

Memory-making activities, like creating a memory box, are designed to help families maintain a bond with their child, which directly aligns with Worden's fourth task: finding an enduring connection. This task focuses on remembering the deceased and carrying their memory forward while still re-engaging with life. The tangible items in the box serve as comforting reminders and facilitate this ongoing connection.

Question 3

A 15-year-old whose best friend died in a car accident begins engaging in reckless driving and experimenting with alcohol. This behavior is a common grief response in adolescents and can be understood as:

Accepted Answer

A type of risk-taking behavior to cope with emotional pain.

Answer

Adolescents may engage in risk-taking behaviors such as substance use or reckless driving as a way to cope with the overwhelming emotions of grief. These actions can be an attempt to feel something when numb, assert control in a chaotic situation, or escape from emotional pain. It is a recognized and concerning manifestation of adolescent grief.

Question 4

A Child Life Specialist is preparing to talk with a 7-year-old patient about the recent death of his grandfather. Based on this developmental stage, the specialist should be prepared for the child to:

Accepted Answer

Understand that death is final but not that it is universal.

Answer

School-aged children (6-8 years) begin to understand that death is final and irreversible. However, they often do not grasp the concept of universality—the idea that all living things, including themselves and their loved ones, will eventually die. They might also personify death (e.g., as a boogeyman) and can have fears about the safety of their other loved ones.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios is the BEST example of disenfranchised grief in a healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

A nurse quietly mourning the death of a long-term patient but feeling unable to express her sadness at work.

Answer

Disenfranchised grief occurs when a person's loss is not socially recognized or supported, and they do not feel they have a right to grieve. A nurse who has formed a strong bond with a patient may experience significant grief, but the professional environment may not acknowledge or allow for the expression of this loss, making it a classic example of disenfranchised grief.

Child Life Exam Practice Test

Child Life Exam Practice Test

Child Life Grief and Bereavement Questions and Answers