For a patient who is grieving, what is an appropriate focus of care?

• A. Isolating the patient to avoid reminders
• B. Support system & coping strategies
• C. Restricting visits
• D. Dismissing feelings

Answer: (B)

Caring for someone who is grieving centers on enabling connection, support, and skills to cope with the loss. The best focus is to engage the patient’s support system and teach coping strategies. By leaning on family, friends, and healthcare professionals, the patient can express feelings, receive practical and emotional support, and learn ways to manage reminders, routines, and stress as they grieve. This approach respects the normal grieving process and helps the person maintain functioning while processing the loss.

Options that involve isolating the patient, restricting visits, or dismissing feelings tend to hinder grief work. Isolation cuts off important social connections and can intensify loneliness. Limiting visits deprives the patient of ongoing support during a vulnerable time. Dismissing emotions invalidates the grieving experience and can prevent healthy emotional processing, potentially leading to prolonged distress.