Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

The term used to describe an individual feeling overwhelmed by multiple losses is:

1. Complicated grief

2. Bereavement overload

3. Chronic sorrow

4. Delayed grief

The correct answer is: Bereavement overload

The term "bereavement overload" refers specifically to a situation in which an individual experiences multiple losses in a relatively short period, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed by the compounded grief. This state emphasizes the cumulative effect of grieving numerous relationships or significant life circumstances at once, which can make it difficult for the individual to process their emotions fully. Understanding bereavement overload is crucial for healthcare providers, especially in the context of adult-gerontology, as it can influence the mental health and coping mechanisms of elderly patients dealing with loss. When individuals encounter several losses, they may struggle to find closure or adequately mourn each one, which can exacerbate feelings of sadness and despair. In contrast, complicated grief typically describes a prolonged and intense grief that disrupts daily functioning, chronic sorrow involves a continuous cycle of grief due to ongoing circumstances (often in chronic illness settings), and delayed grief refers to grief that is postponed until a later time after the loss has occurred. Each of these terms addresses different aspects of the grieving process, but they do not specifically capture the overwhelming experience associated with multiple concurrent losses, which is the focus of bereavement overload.