Most deaths that occur during adolescence are caused by suicide, homicide, and
- cancer.
- motor vehicle accidents.
- heart disease.
- genetic disorders.
Which of the following statements is true of the causes of death among people?
- Compared with adolescence, death in childhood is more likely to occur because of motor vehicle accidents, suicide, and homicide.
- Major illnesses that cause death in children are heart disease, cancer, and birth defects.
- Younger adults are most likely to die from chronic ailments such as heart disease and cancer.
- The number of infant deaths caused by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is usually the lowest.
Chronic Disorders: Disorders that are characterized by slow onset and long duration. They are rare in early adulthood, increase during middle adulthood, and become common in late adulthood.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurs when an infant
- suffers severe neurological injuries that eventually result in death.
- contracts a virulent salmonella infection.
- dies from septic intravenous respiratory failure.
- stops breathing, usually during the night, and dies without apparent cause.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): A condition that occurs when an infant stops breathing, usually during the night, and suddenly dies without an apparent cause.
3-month-old Marco has died unexpectedly while sleeping in his crib during the night. He seemed healthy at birth, and his doctor did not detect any major health issues during his regular checkup 2 weeks ago. The doctor concludes that Marco had stopped breathing during the night and died with no apparent cause. Which of the following is mostly likely the reason for Marco's death?
- anorexia
- down syndrome
- sudden arrhythmic death syndrome
- sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): A condition that occurs when an infant stops breathing, usually during the night, and suddenly dies without an apparent cause.
What is the leading cause of infant death in the United States?
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- accidents
- child abuse
- acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): A condition that occurs when an infant stops breathing, usually during the night, and suddenly dies without an apparent cause.
Kim is having difficulty coping with the death of her baby who appeared healthy at birth but stopped breathing and died with no apparent cause within 4 days. The doctor who attends to her baby informs her that her baby died in his sleep during the night. He also tells Kim that the reason for the baby's death is unknown. Which of the following is most likely the cause of the baby's death?
- asthma
- sudden infant death syndrome
- sudden arrhythmic death syndrome
- pneumonia
At which age do infants have the highest risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
- 2 to 4 months of age
- 5 to 6 months of age
- 7 to 9 months of age
- 10 to 12 months of age
Older adults are more likely to die from
- autoimmune diseases.
- genetic disorders.
- motor vehicle accidents.
- chronic ailments.
Chronic Disorders: Disorders that are characterized by slow onset and long duration. They are rare in early adulthood, increase during middle adulthood, and become common in late adulthood.
Which of the following is an advantage of a dying individual knowing that he or she is dying?
- The person can seek more aggressive medical interventions.
- The person can move through the stages of dying more quickly.
- The person can construct more effective means of denying death.
- The person can close their lives in a way that is consistent with their own ideas about proper dying.
Euthanasia: The act of painlessly ending the lives of persons who are suffering from incurable diseases or severe disabilities; sometimes called “mercy killing.” In euthanasia, the physician or a third party administers the lethal medication (active euthanasia) or withholds life-sustaining treatments.
Most psychologists believe that it is best for dying individuals to
- be unaware of their condition.
- limit their interaction with others.
- know that they are dying.
- distance themselves from family and friends.
Which of the following is an effective strategy for communicating with a dying person?
- Discourage the dying person from expressing any form of guilt or anger.
- Insist that the dying person feel acceptance about death even if the dying person wants to deny the reality of the situation.
- Encourage the dying person to express feelings, but discourage the dying person from reminiscing.
- Eliminate distraction-for example, ask the dying person if it is okay to turn off the TV.
Hospice: A program committed to making the end of life as free from pain, anxiety, and depression as possible. The goals of hospice contrast with those of a hospital, which are to cure disease and prolong life.
Which of the following statements is true of the contexts in which people die?
- For many individuals, regardless of the time left before death, the context in which they die is of hardly any importance.
- Individuals who are facing death worry about the competency of caregivers.
- There is a huge decline in the number of dying individuals who chose to die in the humane atmosphere of a hospice.
- Individuals who are facing death are carefree about the availability of medical treatment if they remain at home.
Hospice: A program committed to making the end of life as free from pain, anxiety, and depression as possible. The goals of hospice contrast with those of a hospital, which are to cure disease and prolong life.
Identify a true statement about the trends in the contexts in which people choose to die in the United States.
- Less than 20 percent of Americans choose to die in hospitals.
- An increasing number of people choose to die in the humane atmosphere of a hospice.
- Individuals typically prefer to die in hospitals than at homes.
- More than 80 percent of Americans choose to die in nursing homes.
Hospice: A program committed to making the end of life as free from pain, anxiety, and depression as possible. The goals of hospice contrast with those of a hospital, which are to cure disease and prolong life.
According to several studies conducted about the contexts in which people die, most individuals say they would rather die
- in a hospice.
- in a nursing home.
- in a hospital.
- at home.