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, the nurse recognizes the need for additional teaching when the caregiver makes which statement?

"Palliative care interventions hasten death."

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

"This must be very hard for you."

A charge nurse is ready to bring the family in to see their loved one who has recently passed away. They do one final check of the client to ensure the post mortem process has been completed. What would the nurse need to change before the family comes in the room? Select all that apply.

*Client's eyes are closed and limbs are naturally placed *Room smells clean

The nurse monitors a terminally ill client for which physical signs of approaching death? Select all that apply.

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

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? Select all that apply.

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

An 80-year-old client is receiving palliative care for heart failure. What are the primary purposes for receiving palliative care? Select all that apply.

*Improve quality of life *Focus on reducing the severity of disease symptoms

A client has been in the dying process for about 10 days. The client's spouse has left only for very short periods during this time, and looks pale and exhausted. The nurse, realizing the spouse has not eaten much, suggests that they take a break to eat and rest. The spouse 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 for the nurse?

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

The nurse cares for a dying client who, on admission, shared their religious practices. 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 might be available to serve as a witness

A nurse is supervising the postmortem care of a client. Which action by the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) performing the care 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 the nurse should implement which intervention?

Encourage the client to maintain maximum self-control.

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

Lateral

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

Periods of apnea followed by deep rapid breathing

Your 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 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 spouse states, "I don't understand why morphine is needed. My spouse is telling me there is no pain. What should the nurse explain for the rationale of administering morphine to this client?

It helps to reduce anxiety and oxygen consumption

The nurse is caring for a client who has a medical diagnosis of 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 health care provider that the client is rescinding the DNR order