Utilizing critical reasoning and the nursing process, the student is expected to:
1. Discuss the concepts of loss, grief, bereavement, and mourning
2. Differentiate among the various types of grieving
3. Compare and contrast the different theories of grief and mourning
4. Discuss factors that influence loss and grief
5. Identify nursing diagnoses that apply to the individual/family experiencing loss, grief, and death
6. List outcomes that apply to the individual/family experiencing loss, grief, and death
7. Identify therapeutic nursing interventions that will assist the individual/family experiencing loss, grief, and death
8. Describe hospice and palliative care
9. Discuss the definition and diagnostic criteria guidelines for brain death
10. Identify the physical changes/manifestations at the end of life
11. Describe care after death including organ donation and autopsy
12. Discuss evaluation of the individual/family experiencing loss, grief, and death
13. Discuss ethical and legal factors associated with dying and death to include:
a. Advance directives
b. Resuscitation/Code status
1. Review module objectives.
2. Learning Resources:
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., Hall, A. M., & Ostendorf, W. R. (2025). Fundamentals of nursing (12th ed.). Elsevier.
Chapter 23 Legal Implications in Nursing Practice: Patient Self-Determination Act, pp. 334-335
Chapter 36 Loss and Grief, pp. 785-808
Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., Hagler, D., and Reinisch, C. (2023). Lewis’s Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (12th edition). Elsevier Inc.
Chapter 10 Palliative Care at End of Life, pp. 146-161
3. Complete Critical Thinking Exercises:
End of Life Student Learning Guide
4. Supplemental Learning:
See Bb
5. Review module objectives and check for knowledge gaps
6. Go to the Evolve website and review the module content and practice questions.