The initial stage of reaction of a person to a dreadful situation is:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

Denial is the first stage in the widely recognized Kübler-Ross model of grief (often remembered by the mnemonic DABDA).
It serves as a temporary defense mechanism that allows a person to cope with the immediate shock and overwhelming emotions of a tragic or dreadful situation.
During this stage, the individual cannot or will not accept the reality of the loss, which is a form of psychological protection.

Option A: Anger is the second stage of grief in the Kübler-Ross model, occurring after the initial shock and denial have worn off.
Option B: Depression is the fourth stage of grief, where the individual begins to process the full weight and sadness of the loss.
Option D: Acceptance is the fifth and final stage of the grief process, where the individual comes to terms with the reality of the loss.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use the Kübler-Ross model to understand and anticipate the emotional journey of patients and their families facing terminal illness or significant loss.
Recognizing a patient's stage of grief helps the nurse provide appropriate psychosocial support, such as allowing a patient in denial to process information at their own pace without being confrontational.
This framework helps nurses normalize the patient's feelings, reassuring them that their emotional responses are a common part of the grieving process.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on a foundational psychological theory.
First, identify the keywords in the question: "initial stage" and "dreadful situation." These point toward theories of grief, loss, or crisis.
Recall the most common framework for the stages of grief, which is the Kübler-Ross model.
Use the mnemonic DABDA (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) to remember the sequence of the stages.
Identify the first letter, 'D,' which stands for Denial.
Select the option that matches this first stage.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q6aqbFLFAyo0WAE5uiWy0G

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 4 p. 37-39

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 949-951

E6 Psychology Applied Sreevani 5e p. 94-96

Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

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