Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing grief following the unexpected death of his spouse. Which of the following statements by the client indicates he is experiencing maladaptive grieving?

A. I am only able to sleep 2 or 3 hours a night."
B. "It's impossible for me to focus on my job."
C. "I have lost 15 pounds since my wife died."
D. "I have started smoking again."

Answer 1

The statement that indicates the client is experiencing maladaptive grieving is:

D. “I have started smoking again.”

Maladaptive grieving refers to behaviors or coping mechanisms that are detrimental to the individual’s well-being and can hinder the grieving process. In this case, the client’s decision to start smoking again can be seen as a negative coping mechanism or an unhealthy way of dealing with grief. Smoking can have various negative health effects and is not a productive or healthy way to address emotional distress.