Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

The grief response associated with permanent, progressive, recurring, and cyclic loss is known as?

1. Anticipatory

2. Chronic grief

3. Chronic sorrow

4. Resilient grief

The correct answer is: Chronic sorrow

Chronic sorrow is a term that specifically describes the grief response experienced by individuals facing ongoing loss that is permanent, progressive, and cyclic. This type of grief often arises in situations such as caring for a child with a chronic illness or a degenerative condition, where each reminder of the child's decline reinforces feelings of loss, leading to a recurring cycle of grief. In chronic sorrow, the individual acknowledges the reality of their loss while also coping with the continuous nature of that loss over time. This contrasts with other forms of grief, which may be more transient or tied to specific events. For example, anticipatory grief pertains to the grieving process that occurs in anticipation of a loss, rather than in response to an already established situation of loss. Chronic grief typically refers to an enduring, unrelenting sorrow that doesn’t fade over time, often complicating one’s ability to move forward. Resilient grief, on the other hand, describes a grieving process where individuals are able to adapt and adjust despite their loss, often leading to a healthier coping mechanism over time. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why chronic sorrow is the most appropriate term for experiencing grief that is embedded in a situation marked by permanent and recurring loss.