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Grief and Loss — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Normal vs complicated grieving

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Psychosocial Integrity 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Grief and Loss on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Types

Key facts

Anticipatory: before the loss
Complicated: prolonged, dysfunctional
Disenfranchised: not socially recognized

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Stages

Key facts

Kübler-Ross: DABDA order
Denial→Anger→Bargain→Depress→Accept
Stages NOT linear/fixed

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Do

Nursing actions

Be present, active listening
Allow expression, no rushing
Respect cultural/spiritual rituals

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Report

Notify / act now

Suicidal ideation → escalate
Grief > 12mo, functioning impaired

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Quick Tip

Kubler-Ross stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance (DABDA); they are not linear and may recur or be skipped.

📖 Related Topics

Therapeutic Communication Techniques Defense Mechanisms Crisis Intervention Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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