Question 1

Many developmentalists believe that one sign of mental health in older adults is _____.

Accepted Answer

Accepting mortality is considered a sign of mental health in older adults as it reflects a realistic understanding of the aging process and helps individuals focus on making the most of the time they have left. Denying death or focusing excessively on the limits of old age can potentially lead to psychological distress and inhibit one's ability to enjoy and engage with life. Feeling guilty for what is undone can also be a source of emotional distress and may indicate unresolved regrets or unfinished business.

Question 2

Which of the following is TRUE about older adults who think they may die soon?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that older adults who think they may die soon are more likely to want to spend time with a family member.

Question 3

Alison has just entered a hospice. She can expect _____.

Accepted Answer

Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and relieving pain for individuals with terminal illnesses. Pain management is one of the main goals of hospice care. Artificial life-support systems and resuscitation are not typically provided in hospice care, and hospice often allows for more flexible visiting hours to accommodate the needs of patients and their families.

Question 4

According to Kübler-Ross, the first stage of dying is _____.

Accepted Answer

Kübler-Ross identified the first stage of dying as denial, where the individual refuses to believe that they are dying or that the diagnosis is accurate.

Question 5

"Dad, why don't we go for a walk? You can watch the kids play soccer at the park," Spencer says. His father replies, "What's the point? Nothing really matters anymore." Which of Kübler-Ross's stages is Spencer's father in?

Accepted Answer

The father's statement suggests a feeling of hopelessness and a lack of interest in engaging in activities. This aligns with the symptoms of depression, which is the fourth stage in Kübler-Ross's model.

Question 6

Across cultures, a result of near-death experiences is _____.

Accepted Answer

Across cultures, a common result of near-death experiences is a sense of hopefulness. Many people report feeling a sense of peace and purpose, as well as a renewed appreciation for life. While some may experience a brief period of fear or anxiety following the experience, the overall effect is often one of increased optimism and positivity.

Question 7

The work of _____ has been used to describe dying as a movement from a focus on physical needs through needs for love, safety, respect, and self-actualization, and finally to the acceptance of death.

Accepted Answer

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggests that humans have a series of needs ranging from basic physiological needs (like food and shelter) to higher level needs (like self-actualization). The theory can be applied to the end-of-life stage, suggesting that individuals move through these needs as they approach acceptance of their own death.

Question 8

"Doctor, if you can find a new treatment that will cure me, I will buy the hospital a new cancer wing," Lily promises. Which of Kübler-Ross's stages is Lily in?

Accepted Answer

Lily is in the bargaining stage, where she is seeking a way to delay or prevent the inevitability of her sickness.

Question 9

Hospice care is expensive because it _____.

Accepted Answer

Hospice care is expensive because it is labor-intensive, requiring a team of healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers who provide 24/7 care and support to patients and their families. Hospice also provides specialized care and services for patients with complex medical needs and chronic conditions, such as pain management, symptom control, and emotional and spiritual support. However, hospice care does not typically require high-technology equipment or elaborate facilities, which is why the cost is primarily related to the cost of labor.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a way that medical advances have made a bad death more likely?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Death occurs at the end of a long life" is not a way that medical advances have made a bad death more likely. In fact, living a long life can be considered a positive outcome of medical advances. The other options all describe ways that medical advances can potentially lead to a bad death.

Question 11

Maslow has added a sixth stage to his hierarchy. This stage, called _____, emphasizes the acceptance of death by dying people.

Accepted Answer

Maslow added the stage of self-transcendence, which involves going beyond the self and can include the acceptance of death.

Question 12

One way that older people cope with their own mortality is through _____.

Accepted Answer

Engaging in legacy work, such as creating a will or passing on family traditions, can give older adults a sense of purpose and can help them feel like they will leave a lasting impact even after they are gone. Denying death or focusing on the limits of old age can lead to anxiety and depression, while feeling guilty for what is undone may not be a productive coping mechanism.

Question 13

Which of the following statements regarding hospice care is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Hospice care is designed for people who are nearing the end of their lives. Patients can be admitted only if their doctor and the hospice medical director certify that death is likely within six months. Hospice care provides comfort and support, rather than aggressive treatment, with a focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Medications are available and are an important part of hospice care. Many insurance companies cover hospice services, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Question 14

About _____ percent of individuals admitted to hospice die before the end of the first week of hospice care.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 33 percent of individuals admitted to hospice care die before the end of the first week, reflecting the late stage at which many patients are referred to hospice.

Question 15

In what way has modern medicine made a good death more likely?

Accepted Answer

Modern medicine has made a good death more likely by increasing general levels of health, leading to most deaths occurring in old age. This allows for individuals to have more time to prepare for their death and potentially die peacefully in their own homes surrounded by loved ones rather than in a clinical setting.

Question 16

Mrs. Reginald has been diagnosed as terminally ill, but she insists that she will recover and believes that her laboratory results were mixed up or misinterpreted. Kübler-Ross would say that Mrs. Reginald is in the stage of _____.

Accepted Answer

According to Kübler-Ross's stages of grief, denial is the initial stage where the person is unable to accept the reality of the situation and may believe that it's a mistake or a misinterpretation. Therefore, Mrs. Reginald is in the stage of denial.

Question 17

Henry was in critical condition when he arrived at the ER. His heart had stopped, but thanks to quick intervention he survived the ordeal. As he healed, he discussed having the sense of floating in light while feeling peace and joy. Henry seems to have _____.

Accepted Answer

Henry's description of floating in light and feeling peace and joy is a common experience reported by those who have had near-death experiences. It suggests that he may have briefly crossed over into the afterlife before being resuscitated.

Question 18

W which of the following is a stage of dying based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Accepted Answer

Maslow's hierarchy of needs includes stages like safety, which is a fundamental need. The other options are related to the stages of grief, not Maslow's hierarchy.

Question 19

"Why me? You're an incompetent doctor!" Eric wails when his doctor delivers the news that his cancer has returned and that Eric has only three months to live. Which of Kübler-Ross's stages is Eric in?

Accepted Answer

Eric's reaction of blaming his doctor and expressing anger is indicative of the anger stage in Kübler-Ross's model of grief and loss.

Question 20

Which of the following descriptions is NOT characteristic of a good death?

Accepted Answer

Being alone is not characteristic of a good death. Most people prefer to have loved ones or caregivers present during the dying process.

Quiz 16: Epilogue: Death and Dying