Scenario A: Mrs. Berk is 65 and has terminal cancer. The nurse tells you the doctor has told Mrs. Berk and her family that further treatment will not stop the cancer. You have cared for Mrs. Berk during several hospital stays and are assigned to give her care today. When you go to her room, she tells you that she will be happy if she can live just long enough to see her grandson graduate from high school in the spring. Later when you go to her room, she is crying and says she does not understand why this is happening to her.

1. What personal beliefs about death would help you to care for a person who is terminally ill? What beliefs would make it more difficult? (3 marks)
2. What would you say to Mrs. Berk when she talks about her prognosis? How would this conversation make you feel? (2 marks)
3. What effect would her present condition have on the time you spend in Mrs. Berk’s room? Do you think you would want to spend more or less time with her? Why? (3 marks)
4. What stage or stages of grief does Mrs. Berk seem to be experiencing? What evidence do you have for your answer? (3 marks)
5. What communication techniques would you use to help Mrs. Berk? How comfortable are you in using these techniques? Why do you feel as you do? (3 marks)

Scenario B: You are on vacation for a week. When you return, the nurse tells you that she is assigning you to Mrs. Berk because Mrs. Berk has been asking for you. The nurse tells you that the client’s condition has deteriorated and she is very close to death. When you enter the room, Mrs. Berk seems to recognize you but cannot carry on a conversation. While giving care, you note physical signs that death is near.

6. How would you feel about caring for someone so close to death? What difference would it make whether you knew the person or not? (3 marks)
7. How would you change your care of a dying person from caring for a person who is expected to recover? Why do you think there might be a difference? (3 marks)
8. What kinds of signs and symptoms would you expect to observe? (3 marks)

Scenario C: When you return from lunch, the nurse tells you that Mrs. Berk has died. She asks you to assist her with the postmortem care.

9. What personal beliefs about death could affect your ability to give postmortem care? (2 marks)
10. How would giving postmortem care to a person you knew will be easier? More difficult? (2 marks)
11. What coping mechanisms would you use to give the postmortem care, even if it made you uncomfortable? (3 marks)