Kubler-Ross's five successive stages of death and dying are?

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

The correct sequence of the five stages of grief as proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross is Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
This order can be remembered using the mnemonic DABDA.
Denial is the initial stage of shock and disbelief.
Anger follows as the individual questions 'Why me?'.
Bargaining is an attempt to postpone the loss.
Depression occurs as the reality of the loss is realized.

Option B: This option incorrectly swaps the order of the third and fourth stages, placing Depression before Bargaining.
Option C: This option incorrectly identifies Bargaining as the first stage. The model begins with Denial as the initial reaction to loss.
Option D: This option incorrectly identifies Anger as the first stage. While Anger is a key stage, it typically follows the initial stage of Denial.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief and dying helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses use the Kübler-Ross model to understand and anticipate the emotional needs of patients and their families who are facing terminal illness or significant loss.
Recognizing a patient's stage of grief allows the nurse to provide appropriate therapeutic communication and support. For example, a nurse should allow a patient in the anger stage to express their feelings without taking it personally.
This framework helps in providing holistic, patient-centered care by addressing the psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of dying.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept of the question, which is the specific order of Kübler-Ross's stages of grief.
Recognize this as a factual recall question that relies on memorization of a key psychological theory used in nursing.
Use the mnemonic 'DABDA' to recall the correct sequence: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.
Systematically compare each option against the DABDA mnemonic.
Eliminate options that do not start with 'Denial' or have the subsequent stages in the wrong order.
Select the option that perfectly matches the DABDA sequence.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QsmnWqyGo1-Gzi0lTExlW3

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 949-951

E6 Psychology Applied Sreevani 5e p. 94-96

Practise the full NVS Staff Nurse - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.