Identify the statement that reflects an abnormal grief reaction by the spouse of a dying patient.

Identify the statement that reflects an abnormal grief reaction by the spouse of a dying patient.

• A. A "I don’t think that I can live without my husband to take care of me."
• B. B "I wonder if expressing my sadness makes my husband feel worse."
• C. C "We have shared so much that it is hard to realize that I will be alone."
• D. D "I don’t feel guilty about leaving him to go to lunch with my friends."

Answer: (D)

The concept here is recognizing an abnormal grief reaction in a caregiver. In the context of a spouse with a terminal illness, normal responses often include deep sadness, fear of a future without the partner, and concern about how one's own emotions affect the other person. Feeling guilty about taking a moment for self-care or a break is a common and adaptive part of coping, because caregiving is exhausting and guilt can signal awareness of the impact on the relationship and the need for balance. Saying that you don’t feel guilty about leaving him to go to lunch with friends suggests emotional numbness or avoidance rather than active processing of grief. This detachment is not typical in a healthy grief trajectory and can indicate maladaptive coping, which is why it stands out as abnormal. The other statements fit more with expected patterns: fearing life without the spouse, worrying that expressing sadness could worsen the partner’s mood, and acknowledging the reality of becoming alone—all of these reflect ongoing engagement with the emotional reality of impending loss.

The concept here is recognizing an abnormal grief reaction in a caregiver. In the context of a spouse with a terminal illness, normal responses often include deep sadness, fear of a future without the partner, and concern about how one's own emotions affect the other person. Feeling guilty about taking a moment for self-care or a break is a common and adaptive part of coping, because caregiving is exhausting and guilt can signal awareness of the impact on the relationship and the need for balance.

Saying that you don’t feel guilty about leaving him to go to lunch with friends suggests emotional numbness or avoidance rather than active processing of grief. This detachment is not typical in a healthy grief trajectory and can indicate maladaptive coping, which is why it stands out as abnormal.

The other statements fit more with expected patterns: fearing life without the spouse, worrying that expressing sadness could worsen the partner’s mood, and acknowledging the reality of becoming alone—all of these reflect ongoing engagement with the emotional reality of impending loss.