The mother of a child who is recovering from surgery says to the nurse, “I don”t
understand why that other nurse told me to stroke his forehead when he is in pain. Why
will that make him feel better?” The nurse’s response will be based on the knowledge
that:
1. Stroking the child’s forehead reminds the child of the mother’s continued presence,
which is reassuring to the child.
2. Stroking causes a non-pain transmission to the brain that competes with the pain
transmission and inhibits the pain message from reaching the brain.
3. Stroking causes the release of biochemicals, such as prostaglandins, which block pain
transmission.
4. Stroking causes the release of endorphins, which reduce the perception of pain.
The nurse is doing a follow-up home visit to a family who lost their three-month-old
infant to SIDS eight weeks ago. The mother answers the door in her nightgown with
hair uncombed. During the interview, the mother states: “I don”t see the point of getting
dressed each day.” The nurse recognizes that the mother is demonstrating which stage
of grief behavior?
1. Recovery
2. Yearning, pining
3. Hostile
4. Disorganization