End of Life PrepU

A patient's family member asks the nurse what the purpose of hospice is. What is the best response by the nurse?

"It will enable the patient to remain home if that is what is desired."

The family members of a dying client are finding it difficult to verbalize their feelings for and show tenderness to the client. Which nursing interventions should a nurse perform in such a situation?

Encourage the family members to express their feelings and listen to them in their frank communication.

Which statements made by the nurse demonstrates that the nurse is providing spiritually sensitive care?

"Tell me who or what gives you strength."

While providing care to a terminally ill client, the client's niece asks the nurse about the client's condition and prognosis. Which of the following would be most appropriate?

Ask the client's consent before sharing any information with the niece.

A nurse is providing in-home hospice care to a 75-year-old client with lung cancer. The nurse determines that the client is eligible for Medicare hospice benefits based on which of the following?

Client has a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

A nurse is providing care to a client experiencing symptoms associated with terminal illness. Which of the following would be most appropriate to use as a means for managing the client's symptoms?

Client's goals

A client diagnosed with a terminal illness appoints her oldest son as the authorized individual to make medical decisions on her behalf when she is no longer able to speak for herself. Which proxy directive is the patient using?

Durable power of attorney for health care

The nurse is caring for a pediatric client who is dying. The best way to provide care and comfort to dying clients and their families is to first do which of the following?

Explore own feelings on mortality and death and dying.

A nurse is caring for a client with a terminal illness. The client asks the nurse to help him end his own life to alleviate his suffering and that of his family. When responding to the client, the nurse integrates knowledge of which of the following?

Participating in assisted suicide violates the Code of Ethics for Nurses.

A client with a brain tumor recently stopped radiation and chemotherapy for treatment of the cancer. The client recently reported dry mouth. Which intervention by the hospice nurse demonstrates that the nurse understands treatment measures for dry mouth?

Provide gentle oral care after each meal.

Which of the following is the nurse's primary concern when providing end-of-life care for a client and the family? Select all that apply.

Providing personal care, maintaining client comfort, supporting family members

Which action by the nurse demonstrates an effective method to assess the client and the client's family's ability to cope with end-of-life interventions?

Remaining silent, allowing the client and family to respond after asking a question related to end-of-life care

A client has been declared to have a terminal illness. What intervention will a nurse perform regarding the final decision of a dying client?

Respect the client's and family members' choices.

Despite having been administered prescribed pain medication, a dying client is still experiencing dyspnea due to fear and anxiety. Which nursing intervention should the nurse use to potentiate the effects of pain medication and help reduce the dyspnea?

Use imagery, humor, and progressive relaxation

Evidence-based medical and nursing research (2009) has identified cardiovascular disease as the most prevalent chronic disease in the United States. Under this classification, one condition is the most common. Using this information, a nurse practitioner, treating a 50-year-old man, would do which of the following?

Write a prescription for a serum cholesterol level.

A hospice nurse should be aware that the most effective pain medication used at the end of life that also relieves dyspnea and anxiety is which of the following?

morphine

Which of the following is a term that refers to individual, family, group, and cultural expressions of grief and associated behaviors?

mourning

The nurse is caring for a client who just learned of his terminal diagnosis. After the physician leaves, the nurse remains to answer further questions so that the client can make an informed decision about further treatment. By providing all available information, the nurse is promoting which ethical principle?

the principle of autonomy

Immediately on cessation of vital functions, the body begins to change. The nurse would expect which physical change to occur following death?

Dusky appearance

The nurse identifies a nursing diagnosis of Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements for a terminally ill client who is near the end of life. Which of the following would the nurse expect to include in the client's plan of care?

Advice for the family to have fruit juices readily available at the client's bedside.