Nursing Care for the Dying and Kubler-Ross Stages

Flashcards covering the five stages of dying, signs of impending death, medical criteria for death, and legal requirements for autopsies.

Denial

The first of Kubler-Ross's five stages of dying, defined as the refusal to accept reality.

Anger

The second of Kubler-Ross's five stages of dying, consisting of an emotional response of frustration or agitation.

Bargaining

The third of Kubler-Ross's five stages of dying, involving an attempt to regain control through negotiation.

Depression

The fourth of Kubler-Ross's five stages of dying, characterized by sadness and withdrawal.

Acceptance

The fifth of Kubler-Ross's five stages of dying, which involves acknowledgment and coming to terms with reality.

Mottling of the extremities

A physical sign of impending death characterized by a blotchy or marbled appearance on the limbs.

Urinary incontinence

A common sign of impending death involving the loss of bladder control.

Actual loss

A type of loss associated with the transition from the independence of college life to the responsibilities of a $8-5$ job and rent.

Encephalogram

A medical test that can be used to certify death if it shows flat brain waves.

Respiratory rate of $0\,\text{bpm}$

One of the medical criteria used to certify that death has occurred.

Coroner

A legal authority who must be notified if a death occurs by suicide and who can order that an autopsy be performed.

Autopsy Consent

Permission that is required from the family to perform an autopsy unless the death is considered suspicious.

Post-mortem care

Tasks the nurse performs after death, including washing the body per facility policy and placing an identification tag on the body.

Anticipatory loss

A category of loss discussed in clinical settings alongside situational and dysfunctional loss.