You are caring for a 33-year-old male client at the end of life. This married client has two children; the son is 14-years-old and the daughter is 8-years-old. Both of these children are being prepared for their father’s imminent death. Which consideration should be incorporated into your explanations of death with these children?
You are caring for a 33-year-old male client at the end of life. This married client has two children; the son is 14-years-old and the daughter is 8-years-old. Both of these children are being prepared for their father’s imminent death. Which consideration should be incorporated into your explanations of death with these children?
A. Children before the age of 12 view death as terrifying so the nurse should not discuss death with these young children.
[6%]
B. Children before the age of 12 do not have any perspectives about death, its meaning, and its finality or lack thereof.
[13%]
C. The cognitive development of young children impacts their understanding of death.
[74%]
D. The cognitive development of young children before 12 has no impact on their understanding of death.
[6%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Leadership & Management
Lesson
Ethical/Legal
Client Need
Test Plan
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Topic
Grief and Loss
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice C is correct. The cognitive development of young children impacts their understanding of death. Since the meaning of death and the finality of death vary according to the age of the child, the nurse should listen to and support these children according to their level of understanding.
Choice A is incorrect. Nurses should openly discuss death with children as the need arises. Young children do not view death as terrifying, they do not even see death as final.
Choice B is incorrect. Children before the age of 12 do have perspectives about death, its meaning, and its finality or lack thereof. Although, these perspectives are not the same as older children and adults.
Choice D is incorrect. The cognitive development of young children before 12 most definitely impacts their understanding of death and its finality.
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4 Key Topics
End-of-life care
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