Ch 24 Loss, Grief, Dying and Death

A patient is being cared for in the hospital and had the opportunity to formulate a living willl and durable power of attorney for healthcare. These examples of what type of documents?

Advanced directives

The nurse is working in a long term care facility taking care of a 87 year old male patient. The patient states "All my friends have passed on; guess im next!" The nurse knows that the patient is experiencing what type of grief?

Anticipatory- is to expect, await, or prepare for the loss of oneself or others.

The nurse is caring for a dying mother of a 6 year old child. Based on developmental age of the child, what beliefs might the child be feeling?

Believes that death is reversible

A patient has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is indergoing treatments. Based on the importance of providing physical care, which nursing diagnosis would be of higedt priority?

Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements

Loss is a natural part of our lives. What is the loss that is felt when one leaves home for college?

Maturational loss- loss resulting from life transitions.

The physical needs of the dying patient should be of utmost importance to the nursing giving care. Which patient descriptions would require an intervention

Patient is soiled and needs clothing changed

The nurse is caring for a dying patient and is showing attentiveness both verbally and non verbally. What is the best intervention to demonstrate attentiveness?

Sitting in a chair close to the bed, facing the patient

The nurse is caring for a dying patient. Which vital signs are most indicative of end of life

Slow, weak and thready pulse: lowered blood pressure: rapid, shallow, irregular respirations.

What is the purpose of palliative care for a patient with a terminal illness?

To provide prevention, relief, reduction, or soothing of symptoms of a disease without providing cure