NOTE:
These actions may be characterized by "Why me?" "Why should this be
happening to me?" or "What have I ever done to deserve this punishment?"
(2)
Health care provided by the medical specialist.
(a) Have patience and tolerance.
(b) Acknowledge to the patient that you understand how he feels.
(c)
Allow the patient to express anger and other feelings.
(d) Respect the patient's need to rage against his fate. Do not take the
attack personally.
c. Bargaining.
(1) Patient reactions. This stage may be quite short, intermittent, or not
even apparent. The patient may:
(a) Bargain to postpone death, seek reward for good behavior, or
exchange places with someone else.
(b) Replace the previous question of "Why me?" to "yes, it is me, but if
you will just let me live, I will never say an unkind word to anyone or never lose my
temper, or etc."
NOTE:
This stage may be done privately.
(2)
Health care provided by the medical specialist.
(a) Understand that bargaining is helpful to the patient.
(b) Keep the patient comfortable.
(c)
Listen and be available.
d. Depression.
Patient reactions. The patient:
(1)
(a) May be anxious to put affairs in order.
(b) Sense a great loss (income, business, hair, limb, function, life).
(c) Have feelings of sadness and guilt over not having provided for his
family, makes a will, or updates a will.
MD0586
6-4