Fundamentals-Edapt-End of Life

​The nurse is caring for a terminally ill child who is receiving palliative care. When explaining the purpose of palliative care to the child's caregiver, which statement made by the caregivers helps the nurse recognize the need for additional teaching?

"Palliative care interventions accelerate death."

The partner of a terminally ill client steps out of the room in tears. The partner tells the nurse, "I don't know what I'm going to do when my partner is gone!" What is the nurse's best response?

"This must be very hard for you."

The nurse is preparing to care for a dying client, and several family members are at the client's bedside. Which therapeutic techniques should the nurse use when communicating with the family? (SATA)

-Assist the client and family with decision making, if asked. -Encourage expression of feelings, concerns, and fears. -Be honest and keep the client and family informed.

An 80-year-old client is receiving palliative care for heart failure. What are the primary purposes for receiving palliative care? (SATA)

-Improve the quality of life. -Focus on reducing the severity of disease symptoms.

The nurse is monitoring a terminally ill client. Which physical signs indicate that the client is approaching death? (SATA)

-Loss of bowel control -Loss of bladder control -Decreased blood pressure -Loss of consciousness -Decreased tactile sensation

A charge nurse is ready to bring the family in to see their loved one who has recently passed away. The nurse performs one final check of the client to ensure the postmortem process has been completed. What would the nurse need to change before the family comes into the room? (SATA)

-Old linens are folded at the end of the bed. -The room is brightly lit and IV poles are in the corner of the room.

The nurse cares for a dying client who, on admission, shared that they need a religious leader in the final hours. Based on this information, what should the nurse do to demonstrate sensitivity to the client's preferred practices?

Arranging for the requested religious leader to sit with the client

The nurse is caring for a client with cancer. The client tells the nurse that a lawyer will be arriving today to prepare a living will and asks the nurse to act as one of the witnesses for the will. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Ask the client who else might be available to serve as a witness.

A 54-year-old client with a bowel infection has just died. How should the nurse care for this client?

Bathe the client adhering to standard precautions.

A nurse is supervising the postmortem care of a client. Which action taken by the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) demonstrates the care they are performing is appropriate?

Elevates the head of the bed 30 degrees as soon as possible after death.

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill adolescent client. When caring for this client, which intervention should the nurse implement?

Encourage the client to maintain maximum self-control.

A hospice nurse is visiting a client in the client's home. The client has had several episodes of dyspnea, and there is a prescription for morphine elixir. The client's partner states, "I don't understand why morphine is needed. My partner is telling me there is no pain." How should the nurse explain the rationale of administering morphine to this client?

It helps to reduce anxiety and oxygen consumption.

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill client who is experiencing dyspnea. When caring for this client, in which position should the nurse place the client?

Lateral position

The nurse is caring for a client who has end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The client is in severe respiratory distress and tells the nurse, "Put me on the machine." The client's family says, "No, we are not going to do this again." The client has a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order. What is the nurse's priority action?

Notify the healthcare provider that the client is rescinding the DNR order.

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill client who is experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Which statement best describes Cheyne-Stokes respirations?

Periods of apnea followed by deep rapid breathing

A client has been in the dying process for about 10 days. The client's partner has left only for very short periods during this time and looks pale and exhausted. The nurse, realizing the partner has not eaten much, suggests that they take a break to eat and rest. The partner declines, saying, "I don't want to leave. We won't have much more time together and I'm afraid I won't be here when my love dies." What is the best action taken by the nurse?

Place a cot at the bedside and arrange to have food brought in.