Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

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Prepare for the Registered Practical Nurse Exam with an immersive quiz experience. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, all paired with helpful hints and explanations. Start your journey towards certification success today!

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How do school-age children typically respond to grief, according to the nurse's counseling?

  1. Verbal expression of anger

  2. Somatic complaints

  3. Isolation from friends

  4. Improved academic performance

The correct answer is: Somatic complaints

School-age children often manifest grief in ways that may not align with adult expressions of sorrow. Somatic complaints, such as headaches, stomachaches, or other physical symptoms, are common responses as children may struggle to articulate their feelings about loss. This is partly because they may not fully understand their emotions or the concept of death. Instead of openly discussing their grief, they might express it through physical complaints, as this is a more accessible way for them to communicate their distress. By experiencing somatic complaints, school-age children demonstrate that their emotional experiences can manifest physically. It’s important for caregivers and nurses to recognize these signs, as they may indicate that the child is grappling with grief internally. Addressing these physical manifestations and encouraging open dialogue about feelings can provide the necessary support for a child navigating through grief. The other options reflect different responses seen in children but do not capture the primary way grief is managed at this developmental stage. For instance, while some children may isolate themselves or express anger, this is not as universally representative of grief in this age group as somatic complaints. Improved academic performance tends to be unrelated to grief responses and is not typically observed among grieving children.