The nurse is assigning support personnel to assist the families of cli

The nurse is assigning support personnel to assist the families of clients who have died in dealing with the stress related to the loss of their family members. Which family would the nurse screen as at highest risk for complicated grief?

The family of a client who
1. died after a long battle against cancer.
2. died after developing diabetes-induced renal failure.
3. was killed in the robbery of a bank.
4. died from chronic heart disease.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: The client who died of cancer does not meet the criteria as well as the murdered client.
Rationale 2: The client who died of renal failure does not meet the criteria as well as the murdered client.
Rationale 3: Although all families are different and all families can respond to grief differently, research supports a greater potential for complicated grief in families whose loved one died suddenly, violently, or unexpectedly. Of the options given, the client who was murdered best fits all three situations.
Rationale 4: The client who died of heart disease had been ill for some time and does not meet the criteria as well as the murdered client.