A middle-aged patient says, "My mother died 4 months ago, and I just can't get over it. I'm not sure it is normal to still think about her every day." Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?

• A. Anxiety related to lack of knowledge about normal grieving
• B. Hopelessness related to inability to resolve grief
• C. Complicated grieving related to unresolved issues
• D. Chronic sorrow related to ongoing distress about loss of mother

Answer: (A)

When a bereaved person is unsure if their reactions are normal, the nurse should look for a knowledge deficit about grief processes that is fueling anxiety. In this case, the patient is four months post-loss and reports thinking about the mother every day, then asks if that is normal. This uncertainty points to not knowing what is typical in grieving, which is causing worry and distress. The best nursing diagnosis captures both the anxious response and the lack of information about normal grieving: anxiety related to lack of knowledge about normal grieving.

Understanding grief helps here: daily thoughts about the deceased can be a normal part of grieving, especially in the months following a loss. Providing education about the range of normal grief responses, what to expect in the next weeks to months, and how to recognize when feelings might indicate a more complicated pattern can reduce anxiety and guide appropriate support. The other options imply concerns about hopelessness, unresolved issues, or a pattern of ongoing sorrow, which aren’t specifically indicated by the patient’s stated uncertainty about normal grieving.