Author Question: A terminally ill patient who does not have an advance directive or do-not-resuscitate order in place ... (Read 45 times)

haleyc112 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A terminally ill patient who does not have an advance directive or do-not-resuscitate order in place stops breathing. What should the nurse do to assist this patient?

1. Call a code.
2. Initiate a slow code.
3. Contact the physician to assess the patient for death.
4. Contact the nursing supervisor.

Question 2

While preparing for the discharge of a terminally ill older adult patient, the family asks for information concerning the most appropriate time to become involved with a hospice agency. Which action by the nurse is most correct?

1. Assist the family with making contact with a hospice agency at this time.
2. Determine the patient's life expectancy to gauge when the contact should be made.
3. Encourage the family to hold off making the contact until death is very close.
4. Determine what expectations the family has of the hospice agency.

Amiracle · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

Without an advance directive or do-not-resuscitate order, the nurse is legally responsible to call a code on the terminally ill patient who has stopped breathing. To initiate a slow code would be malpractice. The nurse needs to call a code, not call the physician or the nursing supervisor.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

Hospice agencies provide vital services to patients who are facing death and to their families. Questions concerning available supportive services should be met with facts. Referrals for older patients should be prompt. It is inappropriate to try to determine life expectancy. This is an inaccurate measurement of the degree of services needed. Waiting until the time of death nears does not leave much time for the hospice agency to assist the family. Determining the family's expectations concerning hospice is an inappropriate action for the nurse.