Nursing behaviors in bereavement: an exploratory study.

Twenty-five pairs of terminally ill patients and their loved ones were studied to determine nursing behaviors which offer greatest support, comfort, and ease of suffering to the loved ones. The Q-sort methodology, consisting of 88 cards, each with one behavior, was used. A three-tier classification of behaviors was derived: those that promote the dying patient's comfort and hygiene; those that indicate understanding of the emotional needs of the dying patient; and those that indicate understanding of the impact on the bereaved of grief, grieving, and loss. The most-desired behaviors pertained to the patient, and the most-desired behavior of the total group was to "keep the patient well groomed." The least-desired behavior (ranked 88th) was to "encourage me to cry."