MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
HED 115 DEATH AND DYING – CORE EXAM QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1
ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH: A CLIMATE OF CHANGE
1. Substitutions of vague words or phrases for ones considered harsh are
a. euphemisms.
b. elegies.
c. the indicative voice.
d. linguistic deliberations.
2. Which of the following is NOT a way in which humor functions relative to death?
a. Raises consciousness
b. Encourages togetherness
c. Discourages empathy
d. Defuses anxiety
3. The largest area of empirical research in thanatology is concerned with the measurement of attitudes
toward death and dying and more particularly
a. death anxiety.
b. hospice care.
c. suicide prevention and intervention.
d. the afterlife.
4. The major contribution of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s book On Death and Dying was its focus on
a. social practices and customs related to death and funerals.
b. mourning and gender issues.
c. common patterns associated with near-death experiences.
d. caring for dying patients.
5. Which of the following is MOST closely associated with nineteenth-century funeral rituals?
a. planting a memorial garden
b. keeping a bedside vigil
c. writing a death notice for the local newspaper
d. buying a casket
6. Which of the following has been a factor in lessening familiarity with death in American culture?
a. news media
b. geographic mobility
c. extended families
d. hospice movement
7. The leading causes of death from 1900 to modern day have changed from ____ to ____ diseases.
a. chronic, contagious
b. viral, bacterial
c. infectious, chronic
d. none of the above
8.Epidemiologic transition is BEST defined as the
a. shift in disease patterns characterized by a redistribution of deaths from the young to the old.
b. contribution of Americans’ highly mobile life styles to making death less immediate and
intimate.
c. change in cultural attitudes toward death as a significant determinant of how we live our lives.
d. trend toward more rapid and sudden death from epidemics.
CHAPTER 2
LEARNING ABOUT DEATH: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIOCULTURAL FORCES
9.The statement “death involves causality” means that
a. there are biological reasons for death.
b. the grieving process is caused by death.
c. the growing world population is the basis of people dying of starvation.
d. organisms are unable to return to life after they die.
10.In discussing how people understand death, the term “noncorporeal continuity” refers to the idea that
a. death occurs suddenly, without warning.
b. death occurs following chronic illness.
c. human beings survive in some form after the death of the physical body.
d. Legal issues must be addressed after death.
11. Children who have had first-hand encounters with death tend to
a. still believe in reversible death.
b. avoid any mention of it.
c. deny its existence.
d. have a developmentally more mature understanding of death.
12.
The attitude “it can’t happen to me” is typically characteristic of
a. adults.
b. adolescents.
c. middle childhood.
d. early childhood.
CHAPTER 4
DEATH SYSTEMS: MORTALITY AND SOCIETY
13.In comparing the volcanic eruptions of Mount Pelee and Mount St. Helens, the main difference mentioned in
the text with respect to fatalities concerned the
a. low population density of the area near Mount Pelee.
b. adequate early warnings in the case of Mount St. Helens.
c. mild nature of the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee.
d. actions taken by disaster workers in the case of Mount St. Helens.
14.
Which of the following items is NOT matched correctly?
a. murder: the deliberate intentional killing of another human being
b. voluntary manslaughter: the killing of another human being in performance of a public duty
c. involuntary manslaughter: the unintentional killing of another human being as a result of criminal
carelessness
d. noncriminal homicide: the killing of another human being involving self-defense
15.
A person who kills a member of his or her family is usually judged by society to be
a. not as threatening as someone who kills a stranger.
b. not responsible for the act due to insanity.
c. subject to the same code of justice as anyone else.
d. a major threat to the public at large.
16.According to the Uniform Determination of Death Act, an individual is dead when he/she has irreversible
1. cessation of the capacity for bodily integration.
2. circulatory and respiratory cessation.
3. absence of functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.
4. cessation of the capacity for consciousness.
a. 1 and 2
b. 1 and 3
c. 2 and 3
d. 2 and 4
17. Which of the following are major provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act?
1. If the person has not made a donation before death, the next of kin cannot make it regardless
of the circumstances.
2. If the person has made such a gift, it cannot be revoked by his or her relatives.
3. The gift can be amended or revoked at any time before the death of the donor.
4. The time of death must be determined by a physician who is not involved in any
transplantation.
a. 1, 2 and 3
b. 1, 3 and 4
c. 1, 2 and 4
d. 2, 3 and 4
18. In R. Moroni Leash’s “sequential notification technique,” what SEQUENCE should the following
statements follow?
1. Give information regarding the resuscitative efforts made on behalf of the patient.
2. Describe the victim’s response to treatment, make a statement of the death, and provide a
brief explanation of the cause of death.
3. Ask the family members what they already know about the situation.
4. Bridging from what they know, give a brief description of events that led up to the patient’s
arrival at the hospital.
a. 1, 2, 3, and 4
b. 3, 4, 1, and 2
c. 3, 1, 4, and 2
d. 4, 3, 1, and 2
CHAPTER 5
HEALTH CARE: PATIENTS, STAFF, AND INSTITUTIONS
19.All of the following are associated with the mission of modern hospitals EXCEPT:
a. aggressive techniques.
b. diagnosis of symptoms.
c. care of patients with long term needs.
d. care of patients with acute illnesses.
20.The “principle of symmetry” advocated by Daniel Callahan states that technology should be judged by a
balance between the
a. cost and the seriousness of the illness.
b. extension and saving of life and the quality of life.
c. cost and the extension of life.
d. desire to live and the ability to pay for medical care.
21. All of the following contribute to out of control health care costs in the U.S. EXCEPT:
a. focus on prevention
b. aging population
c. chronic disease
d. technological imperative
22.What kind of patients should be given priority in care according to the triage system developed by Army
Major John Letterman?
a. patients whose injuries are serious but survivable
b. first come, first served
c. patients with less serious injuries so that they can offer help to others
d. patients with highest military ranking
23.The emphasis on cure among professional caregivers can result in death being
a. discussed objectively and openly.
b. seen as less stressful.
c. seen as a natural event and "I've done all I can."
d. viewed as a failure.
CHAPTER 6
END-OF-LIFE ISSUES AND DECISIONS
24.By acknowledging the inevitability of death we
a. can begin to prepare for it.
b. become sad and worried.
c. are more open to near-death experiences.
d. may divest ourselves of financial burdens.
25.All of the following occurred with Karen Ann Quinlan EXCEPT:
a. Her parents requested that she be removed from a mechanical respirator.
b. The request of Karen’s parents was opposed by the medical staff and resulted in a judicial suit.
c. The Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled in favor of the medical staff and Karen remained on the
respirator.
d. Karen’s case became a focal point for issues pertaining to “death with dignity.”
26.Currently, physician-assisted death is permitted by legislation enacted in
a. California and Ohio.
b. Nevada and Michigan.
c. Oregon and Washington.
d. New York and Pennsylvania.
27. In which of the following situations is a patient’s autonomy violated?
a. An older woman refuses to have back surgery
b. An older man’s family coerces him to have foot surgery
c. An athlete seeks a second opinion on a knee surgery
d. Emergency responders do not resuscitate due to a valid DNR order
CHAPTER 7
FACING DEATH: LIVING WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS
28.The way in which an individual copes with dying
a. depends on doctors’ attitudes.
b. contrasts with usual coping patterns.
c. depends on the length of the illness and prognosis.
d. will likely reflect the ways one has coped with other losses.
29.According to Kübler-Ross, all of the following are associated with a life-threatening illness EXCEPT:
a. depression.
b. denial.
c. belief.
d. acceptance.
30.What is the critical first step in accessing and managing pain?
a. interviewing for a possibility of addiction
b. directly observing and measuring the pain
c. believing that the pain is real
d. acknowledging that pain and suffering are the same
31.Which of the following are spiritual needs of dying patients?
1. need for hope and creativity
2. need to complete a will for loved ones
3. need to give and receive love
4. need for meaning and purpose
a. 1, 2 and 3
b. 1, 3 and 4
c. 1, 2 and 4
d. 2, 3 and 4
CHAPTER 8
LAST RITES: FUNERALS AND BODY DISPOSITION
32.The death customs of the ancient Egyptians reveal
a. a culture focused on acquiring mortuary goods and preparing for the afterlife.
b. that most Egyptians did not include religion as a dominant theme in their concept of death.
c. that they welcomed death because it was thought to be a rewarding experience to those who had
served the gods.
d. a preoccupation with the fear of death, which influenced people to serve the pharaohs in hope of
a favorable destiny with the gods.
33.Unlike cultures where the funeral is primarily a vehicle for preparing the dead to successfully migrate to the
afterworld, the American funeral is primarily
a. unconcerned with the welfare of the survivors.
b. focused on the welfare of the bereaved.
c. planned to fulfill the wishes of the deceased.
d. a vehicle for educating children about death.
34.Excluding cemetery costs, the average cost of a funeral in the United States is now approximately
a. $1,000.
b. $3,000.
c. $7,000.
d. $11,000.
35.President Lincoln’s funeral procession increased awareness of the practice of
a. cremation.
b. freezing.
c. reparation.
d. embalming.
36.The FTC Funeral Rule requires that mortuaries
a. obtain permission from the family in order to charge a fee for the embalming procedure.
b. embalm the deceased if the funeral is more than three days after death.
c. disclose all embalming fees to a federal regulatory agency.
d. use an approved list of chemicals for embalming.
37.Which of the following is generally considered an experimental medical technology?
a. organ transplant
b. cryogenics
c. burial at sea
d. donation to science
38.In which of the following countries is cremation the most common method of body disposal?
a. Norway and Sweden
b. Russia and China
c. India and Japan
d. Canada and United States
CHAPTER 9
SURVIVORS: UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCE OF LOSS
39.The reactions of anguish, anger, or relief to the death of a loved one are collectively termed
a. grief.
b. mourning.
c. bereavement.
d. shock.
40.A theme common to mourning behaviors cross-culturally is that the bereaved
a. are now more likely to engage in formal customs than in the past.
b. are usually sure about what constitutes appropriate mourning behavior and ritual.
c. do not alter their appearance until the first anniversary of the death.
d. are different and this difference diminishes with time.
41.Telling the story of grief can help in coping with loss in which of the following ways?
a. Sharing the story provides emotional relief and promotes the search for meaning.
b. The story can be told without having to conform to a particular model of how it should be.
c. The story brings people together in support of one another.
d. All of the above.
42.According to the Dual-Process Model of Coping, what coping behavior includes developing a new identity
and mastering tasks that had been taken care of by the deceased?
a. loss-oriented
b. restoration-oriented
c. dynamic process
d. biopsychosocial
43.In the intuitive pattern of grieving, individuals experience and express grief
a. physically.
b. through dreams and images.
c. via feelings and emotions.
d. by doing and problem solving.
44.Grief experienced in connection with a loss that is not socially supported or acknowledged through the usual
rituals is termed
a. disenfranchised.
b. anticipatory.
c. systemic.
d. instrumental.
45.Which of the following is a helpful behavior when lending support to the bereaved?
a. urging the bereaved person to be strong and brave
b. simply listening without judgment
c. encouraging the bereaved to achieve closure
d. giving advice on self-help books to read
CHAPTER 10
DEATH IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
46.Which of the following BEST characterizes the concerns of seriously ill children ages five to nine?
a.
b.
c.
d.
discomforting and possibly disfiguring effects of the disease and medical procedures
separation from mother
anxiety related to the deaths of other children
being left out of the communication loop about their course of treatment and treatment options
47.When caring for a seriously ill child, all of the following are true EXCEPT:
a. changes in routine add to the child’s anxieties.
b. parents should focus on the parenting role.
c. parents should play the role of nurse.
d. parents should minimize stress and make the child as comfortable as possible.
48.When talking to children about death, it is important to
a. give sophisticated explanations.
b. assume they have no beliefs about death.
c. avoid teachable moments and wait for a crisis.
d. verify and clarify what they think you’ve told them.
CHAPTER 11
DEATH IN THE LIVES OF ADULTS
49.Which of the following statements are TRUE about parental bereavement in couples?
1. A feeling of estrangement and a strong bond can occur between the parents at the same time.
2. A partner’s behavior can be misinterpreted by the other and can cause conflict.
3. Different grieving styles may decrease the couple’s sense of commonality.
4. Urging each other to be strong in public is an important component of getting past the
grieving phase and into the healing phase of bereavement.
a. 1, 2 and 3
b. 1, 2 and 4
c. 1, 3 and 4
d. 2, 3 and 4
50.For newly bereaved parents of a stillborn child, a way of realizing and coping with loss is aided by
a. removing the stillborn as quickly as possible.
b. seeing and holding the baby.
c. signing the death certificate and keeping grief and details private.
d. having a lot of “alone time” when home.
51.Cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have sometimes been subject to criminal investigation
because
a. SIDS support groups prompt such investigation.
b. multiple SIDS deaths often occur in the same family.
c. the infant died of unknown or no definitive cause.
d. the family seems unaffected by the loss.
CHAPTER 12
SUICIDE
52.Coroners tend to list suicide as the cause of death
a. in most cases.
b. only when a separate and distinct cause cannot be determined.
c. only when circumstances unequivocally justify such a determination.
d. when they believe that foul play was involved.
53.Which of the following are limitations of the psychological autopsy?
1. retrospective nature
2. the individual of interest is not available for examination
3. overabundance of standardized procedures
4. third-party informants may distort representations of the decedent for a variety of reasons
a. 1, 2 and 3
b. 1, 2 and 4
c. 1, 3 and 4
d. 2, 3 and 4
54.Suicide among Japanese samurai following disgrace in battle is an example of
a. altruistic suicide.
b. anomic suicide.
c. egoistic suicide.
d. fatalistic suicide.
55.According to the sociological model, fatalistic suicide
a. results from lack of freedom and absence of choice.
b. develops in individuals who overidentify with social values.
c. develops when a person’s life has dramatically changed, as with the loss of a job.
d. seldom occurs in modern society.
56.According to Karl Menninger, individuals who harm themselves by means of drugs, alcohol, smoking, or
reckless driving are effectively dying by
a. referred suicide.
b. vice suicide.
c. chronic suicide.
d. pleasure suicide.
57.In relation to suicide, the term postvention refers to
a. policies for dealing with the deceased’s possessions after death.
b. assistance given to all survivors of suicide.
c. guidance in setting up telephone hotlines.
d. methods of distracting people from suicide.
CHAPTER 13
RISKS, PERILS, AND TRAUMATIC DEATH
58.When behavior involves doing dangerous things just for the thrill of it, it may represent
a. an attempt to deny fear or anxiety about death.
b. efforts to overcome childhood guilt.
c. distorted thinking.
d. a reaction to overly strict parenting.
59.What is the most characteristic feature of modern war?
a. lack of patriotism
b. in-depth media coverage
c. using ideals of peace as an excuse for war
d. technological alienation
60. Which of the following is suggested in the text as a Guideline for Lessening the Potential for Violence?
a. use physical punishment as a primary means of discipline.
b. desensitize children to violence with violent television programs and movies.
c. avoid use of prejudicial, dehumanizing, or derogatory labels.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
61. Genocide involves the effort to
a. determine the biological roots of violence.
b. destroy an entire nation or human group.
c. eradicate social practices that favor violence.
d. modify genetic factors that cause violence.
62. The term “amplification effect” refers to a process whereby the
a. actions of terrorists combine the worst aspects of both crime and warfare to obtain a more horrific result.
b. power of weapons of mass destruction is used to increase the effects of terrorism.
c. actions of terrorists are broadcast through the mass media to a larger audience than those at the site
d. dramatization of violence perpetrated on innocent victims is used to increase fear
CHAPTER 14
BEYOND DEATH / AFTER LIFE
63.The ancient Hebrews praised righteous conduct because
a. it guarantees future rewards for the individual.
b. it leads to harmony in the present life.
c. they feared eternal damnation.
d. they feared the physical pain of dying.
64.Islamic teachings about death include the idea that
a. God determines a person’s lifespan.
b. God has no power over an individual’s fate.
c. hell does not exist.
d. hellish states are only temporary.
65.Nirvana literally means
a. liberation.
b. deification.
c. elimination.
d. extinction.
66.Which secular alternative to religion emphasizes intellect and cultural achievements rather than divine
intervention and supernaturalism?
a. existentialism.
b. positivism.
c. experiential.
d. humanism.
67.Which of the following near death experience interpretations is NOT one of the Psychological Theories?
a. depersonalization.
b. fantasy.
c. archetypes.
d. psychic vision into another reality.
68.In terms of the “wall/door” metaphor discussed in the text, Hindus would most likely view death as
a. a wall.
b. a door.
c. both a wall and a door.
d. neither a wall nor a door.