Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What stage of grief is a patient likely experiencing when they say, "This is all my fault"?

1. Denial.

2. Anger.

3. Depression.

4. Acceptance.

The correct answer is: Anger.

When a patient expresses sentiments like "This is all my fault," they are often grappling with feelings of guilt or blame, which aligns closely with the anger stage of grief. In this stage, individuals may direct their frustrations inward, feeling as if they are responsible for their circumstances. This is often a way of coping with the intense emotional pain of loss or impending change, as it can be easier for some to blame themselves than to confront the deeper emotions associated with their situation. While denial, depression, and acceptance represent different responses to grief, they do not capture the complexity of guilt and self-blame that can arise within the anger stage. Acceptance involves coming to terms with one’s situation, depression is characterized by profound sadness and loss of interest, and denial is a refusal to accept the reality of the situation, none of which directly encapsulate the idea of self-accusation expressed in the statement. Thus, the emotion linked to saying "This is all my fault" indicates that the patient is likely navigating the anger stage of grief.