chapter 15 EAQ

The wife of a patient who recently died under hospice care tells the nurse that she sometimes hears her husband calling her name at home when it is quiet at night. What is the nurse's best response?

Acknowledge to the woman that she has experienced a great loss and that this is part of grieving.

Which intervention is effective to treat noisy, labored respirations of a semi-conscious dying patient?

Administer scopolalmine

A patient dies, and an autopsy will be performed. Which statement is true regarding performing postmortem care?

Any drainage or intravenous tubes should be left in place

A patient, who was told he has a terminal condition several months ago, is very pleasant while receiving nursing care and does not seem to be aware of his condition. How should the nurse deal with this situation?

Ask the patient if there is anything he would like to discuss including his care.

What is the state of having suffered a loss by death?

Bereavement

After death, the nurse is preparing the body for transport to the funeral home. How should the nurse position the body?

Close the eyelids. use supine position elevate head of bed to 20 degrees

A terminally ill cancer patient complains of severe pain. Which opioid should be avoided in the patient because the patient also has co-morbid renal impairment?

Codeine (Codicept)

A patient who has a terminal condition tells the nurse that she has a bad taste in her mouth that makes eating difficult. Which intervention should the nurse employ?

Frequent oral care and sucking on hard candy

A terminally ill cancer patient with renal dysfunction needs opioid administration for pain relief. Which opioid may not need dose adjustments and monitoring?

Methadone (Dolophine)

A terminally ill cancer patient is experiencing dysphagia. What nursing measure is helpful to this patient?

Moistening the mouth

A patient is diagnosed with breast cancer. The patient is sad and disappointed. What are the appropriate assessment activities when planning care for this patient?

Observe her nonverbal behavior Observe her interactions with others. Assess her response to care options.

A patient with a terminal condition sleeps most of the time and is semiresponsive. The patient mumbles about having a dry mouth when he is awake. Select the most appropriate intervention for this patient.

Offer sips of water and ice chips while the patient is awake

The nurse is preparing a body for transportation to the funeral home. What nursing intervention is helpful in managing leakage of stool and urine due to the relaxation of the sphincters?

Placing protective pads under the rectum

A terminally ill cancer patient resists the use of pharmacological pain medications for pain relief. What nursing measures can help relieve pain in the patient?

Provide biofeedback. Encourage breathing exercises promote hypnosis or self -hypnosis

A terminally ill patient with breast cancer has severe pain. What is an appropriate nursing intervention related to pain medication?

Provide medication on round-the-clock basis

An elderly terminally ill patient is physically debilitated. What intervention is appropriate for this patient?

Provide physical care whenever required.

A terminally ill cancer patient is suffering from intractable pain. What nursing intervention helps in achieving maximum pain control in this patient?

Provide scheduled pain medication with PRN backup.

Which observation indicates adequate pain control in a patient who is terminally ill?

Rates pain as tolerable and is able to rest and sleep

A terminally ill cancer patient in severe cancer-related pain also has renal dysfunction. While administering fentanyl (Duragesic) to the patient, what should the nurse keep in mind?

The dose should be reduced.

Which statement is true regarding pain control in the dying patient?

The goal is to allow a pain-free death

A patient is diagnosed with terminal stage cancer. What findings in the patient indicate hopelessness due to a deteriorating physical condition?

The patient displays sad facial and voice expressions. The patient sighs and has a negative view of the future. The patient feels weak, has a lack of energy, and has vague pains. The patient shows a lack of interest and communicates minimally.

The nurse works in a terminal-care facility. What are the rights of a dying person that the nurse should be aware of when treating patients in this setting?

The right to be free from pain The right to peace and dignity The right to make decisions about care

A terminally ill elderly patient has depression. What measures would help this patient?

Use anti-depressants.

A patient has experienced the recent death of a spouse. During a conversation with a nurse, the patient begins to cry. Which of these is an appropriate response from the nurse?

Hand a tissue to the patient.

A patient has passed away after a massive heart attack, 5 days following hospitalization. What nursing actions are performed for the family to facilitate mourning?

Help the family to accept the reality of the loss. Support the family's efforts to adjust to the loss.

The nurse knows that who identified the five stages of the dying process?

Kübler-Ross

Which is considered to be a violation of the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code for Nurses?

assisted suicide active euthanasia

A patient reports feelings of helplessness, restlessness, irritability, and anger. On inquiry, the nurse learns that the patient has lost a substantial amount of money to gambling debts. What nursing intervention should the nurse perform?

Exhibit a warm caring concern for the patient

A terminally ill patient is feeling lonely and isolated. Which nursing interventions help to prevent the feeling of isolation in the patient?

Exhibiting nonverbal communication Identifying and meeting the patient needs Conveying one's presence through touching

The nurse knows that which clinical sign or symptom is common in a dying patient?

constipation

A patient who was admitted to the hospital a few hours ago dies due to complications of the disease. The coroner is informed to investigate the cause of death. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this patient?

retain IV lines

A terminally ill patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) develops dry mouth and thirst due to the use of various pharmacological agents. What nursing measures help promote patient comfort?

use of ice chips use of lip lubricants use of small sips of fluids

The nurse is caring for a patient who is in the terminal stage of his life. The family members approach the nurse, saying that they are upset by the patient's breathing pattern and it appears as though he is choking to death. The nurse determines that the patient is exhibiting the death rattle. What nursing intervention would be helpful to this patient?

Administer scopolamine as prescribed by a health care provider

The nurse knows that which medical problem is included in the top 10 leading causes of death?

Alzheimer's disease

The nurse knows that which are grief indications?

Anger Denial Acceptance

A 50-year-old patient discusses the recent loss of his spouse with the nurse during a routine check-up. What findings in the patient would indicate grief?

Insomnia Lack of energy Lack of interest

Select the most effective medication schedule to ensure adequate pain control for a patient who has a terminal condition that involves pain.

Regularly scheduled pain medication adequate to control pain with PRN backup for breakthrough pain

A patient is diagnosed with advanced leukemia. The patient is hopeless about the treatment. What nursing interventions would help the patient to overcome hopelessness?

Treat chronic pain identify sources of social support provide opportunities to express positive life events

A terminally ill patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) is on life-supporting measures. Which intervention does the nurse perform when caring for the patient to support the patient's right?

Treat the body respectfully after death.

A patient with advanced cancer wishes to have a natural death without much medical intervention. How can this patient execute this wish when unable to express it during the dying process?

Use an advance directive to convey the patient's wish.

A critically ill patient who is in the terminal stages of life is unable to take oral feedings. Additionally, the patient strongly refuses to receive parenteral fluids. How should the nurse handle this situation?

Yield to the patient's wish of not receiving IV fluids.