Exam 11: Palliative Care at End of Life

Which of these patients is most appropriate for the nurse to refer to hospice care?

A patient who has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer and has a poor prognosis plans a trip across the country "to settle some issues with my sisters and brothers." The nurse recognizes that the patient is manifesting the psychosocial response of

A hospice patient is manifesting a decrease in all body system functions except for a heart rate of 124 and a respiratory rate of 28. The nurse explains to the family that these symptoms

A 21-year-old is dying after an automobile accident. The family members want to donate the patient's organs and ask the nurse how the decision about brain death is made. The nurse explains that the patient will be considered brain dead when

When caring for a patient with lung cancer in a home hospice program, it is important for the nurse to

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who has 20-second periods of apnea followed by periods of deep and rapid breathing. The nurse documents this finding as

A patient who is very close to death is very restless and keeps repeating, "I am not ready to die." Which action is best for the nurse to take?

The family member of a dying patient tells the nurse, "Mother doesn't really respond any more when I visit. I don't think she knows that I am here." Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

A patient in a hospice program is experiencing continuous, increasing amounts of pain. The nurse caring for the patient plans the scheduling of opioid pain medications to provide

As the nurse admits a patient with severe heart failure to the hospital, the patient tells the nurse, "If my heart or breathing stop, I do not want to be resuscitated." Which action is best for the nurse to take?

A patient who is in the clinic for an immunization tells the nurse, "My mother died 4 months ago, and I just can't seem to get over it. I'm not sure it is normal to still think about her every day." Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?

A hospice nurse who has become very close to a terminally ill patient and family is present in the home when the patient dies and feels saddened and tearful as the family members begin to cry. Which action should the nurse take at this time?

The spouse of a patient with terminal lung cancer visits daily and cheerfully talks with the patient about vacation plans for the next year. When the nurse asks about any concerns, the spouse says, "I'm busy at work, but otherwise things are fine." An appropriate nursing diagnosis is

A terminally ill patient is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse include in the initial plan of care?