Comprehensive Grief, Communication, and Safety Strategies in Healthcare

What is Grief?

The emotional suffering one feels when something or someone they love is taken away.

What is Bereavement?

The period of mourning and adjustment following a loss.

What are common actions associated with grief?

Crying and feelings of sadness.

What are the physical, psychological, and spiritual responses to a loss?

These responses can include emotional pain, changes in behavior, and spiritual questioning.

What are the 5 Stages of Grief according to Kubler-Ross?

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

What is Denial in the context of grief?

Refusing to accept the reality of the loss.

What is Anger in the context of grief?

Feeling frustration and anger about the loss.

What is Bargaining in the context of grief?

Trying to make deals or envisioning 'what if' scenarios regarding the loss.

What is Depression in the context of grief?

Experiencing deep sadness or withdrawal following a loss.

What is Acceptance in the context of grief?

Coming to terms with the loss and finding a way to move forward.

What is Disenfranchised Grief?

Grief that is not acknowledged or understood by others, leading to feelings of isolation.

What is Anticipatory Grief?

Grief that occurs before an expected loss, often when a loved one is seriously ill.

What is Delayed Grief?

Grief reactions that are postponed and may appear much later, sometimes triggered by another event.

What is Masked Grief?

Grief that is hidden or not recognized, often manifesting as physical symptoms or unusual behaviors.

What is Normal Grief?

The typical response to loss, including feelings of sadness, anger, and crying, which gradually lessen over time.

What are Advance Directives?

A group of instructions stating a person's wishes regarding their healthcare if they are unable to make decisions.

What does DNR stand for?

Do Not Resuscitate; an order to not attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory failure.

What is a Persistent Vegetative State (PVS)?

A condition where a person loses higher cerebral functions and does not purposefully respond to stimuli.

What is Coma?

A prolonged state of unconsciousness where a patient cannot be aroused and may have decreased brainstem activity.

What are common changes before death?

Gradual withdrawal from surroundings, decreased appetite, noticeable physical decline, and altered breathing patterns.

What is Intrapersonal Communication?

Self-talk; communication that occurs within a person.

What is Interpersonal Communication?

Communication that occurs between two or more people with the goal of exchanging messages.

What is Group Communication?

Communication that occurs within small groups, focusing on group dynamics.

What is Organizational Communication?

Communication that occurs within an organization to achieve established goals.

What is Patient Education?

The process by which a patient acquires knowledge or changes behavior in a measurable way due to an experience.

What are the three domains of learning?

Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor.

What is the Cognitive domain?

Involves knowledge acquisition through lectures and memorization.

What is the Affective domain?

Involves feelings and attitudes, such as changing feelings and role modeling.

What is the Psychomotor domain?

Involves hands-on skills and demonstration of actions.

What are NCLEX clue words for the Affective domain?

Expresses, accepts, values, demonstrates willingness.

What are NCLEX clue words for the Cognitive domain?

Verbalizes, explains, understands, identifies.

What are NCLEX clue words for the Psychomotor domain?

Demonstrates, performs, uses, shows technique.

What are methods for measuring patient education?

Oral questions, interviews, questionnaires, checklists, direct observation, return demonstration, client reports, client records, tests, and exercises.

What is Intimate Distance in therapeutic communication?

0-18 inches; used for physical care and emotional support.

What is Personal Distance in therapeutic communication?

18 inches-4 feet; used for most nursing communication and teaching.

What is Social Distance in therapeutic communication?

4-12 feet; used for group teaching or formal interactions.

What is Public Distance in therapeutic communication?

12+ feet; used for public speaking or large groups.

What is SBAR?

A structured communication method for patient information: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

What does the 'Situation' in SBAR entail?

Describing what is happening right now, identifying the patient and problem.

What does the 'Background' in SBAR entail?

Providing relevant history or context, including diagnosis and recent events.

What does the 'Assessment' in SBAR entail?

Sharing what you think is happening, including vital signs and findings.

What does the 'Recommendation' in SBAR entail?

Stating what you need or want done, being specific.

What is a Never Event?

A serious reportable event that causes serious injury or death to a patient, which should never happen in a hospital.

What are some examples of Never Events?

Performing surgery on the wrong patient, administering the wrong blood type, leaving a foreign object inside a patient after surgery.

What are common safety hazards for healthcare workers?

Back injury, needlestick injury, radiation injury, violence.

How can nurses prevent safety hazards?

Using body mechanics, sharps awareness, proper disposal, radiation precautions, and environmental awareness.

What behaviors reduce the risk of occupational injury for nurses?

Keeping hallways clear of clutter, wearing proper footwear, being aware of exits, and disposing of sharps properly.

What should a nurse do if a client is confused or agitated regarding therapeutic distance?

Adjust the distance based on the client's psychological state and safety.

What is the role of nurses in promoting safety?

Educating, evaluating, removing hazards, using technology, and reporting accidents.