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Question

Difficulty: MediumGrief and Loss

A practical nurse (PN) is assisting a facilitator during a community support group for bereaved families. A parent expresses concern about their 16-year-old child following the sudden death of the child's other parent eight months ago. The parent states, "My teenager seemed to have accepted the loss a few months ago, but lately, they are lashing out in anger and refusing to talk. Aren't they supposed to be past the anger stage by now?"

Which response by the PN is most appropriate?

  1. People often cycle back and forth through different emotions of grief over time; it is rarely a straight line.Answer
  2. B
    Since eight months have passed, your child should be firmly in the acceptance stage and moving forward.
  3. C
    It is best not to worry; most teenagers go through angry phases that have nothing to do with grieving.
  4. D
    You should sit down with your teenager tonight and insist they explain exactly why they are angry.

Answer

The most appropriate response is to explain that people often cycle back and forth through different emotions of grief over time, as it is rarely a straight line.
The correct response accurately reflects that grief is an individualized, dynamic process rather than a strict sequence of stages. It is normal for individuals, particularly adolescents, to revisit emotions such as anger long after a loss. This response provides necessary education while therapeutically supporting the parent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the parent's statement and underlying concern.
The parent incorrectly believes that the grief process is a linear timeline and expects their teenager to be permanently in the 'acceptance' stage after eight months.
Identifying the knowledge gap helps determine the most therapeutic and educational response.
2
Recall the characteristics of normal and complicated grief, particularly in adolescents.
Grief is a highly individualized, dynamic process. Individuals often revisit stages such as anger or denial, especially around milestones, holidays, or subsequent life changes.
Accurate clinical knowledge is required to provide correct reinforcement of teaching to the family.
3
Evaluate the response options against principles of therapeutic communication.
The correct response addresses the misconception about linear grief stages without being dismissive, giving unwanted advice, or providing false reassurance.
The PN must use communication techniques that encourage coping and provide accurate psychosocial education.

Key Concept

Non-linear progression of the grieving process
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Topics

Grief and Loss

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