The nurse is caring for a dying child. Which nursing action ...

[Collmarie]

The nurse is caring for a dying child. Which nursing action supports the primary goal for a dying child?
 
  A) Keep the child entertained so she does not think about dying.
  B) Ensure that a good relationship is maintained with the family.
  C) Administer pain medication as ordered.
  D) Maintain a busy schedule for child and family members.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for an older adult client who is very thin and emaciated. The client reports new onset of shortness of breath. A chest x-ray reveals a spot on the lungs that the physician believes is an inoperable lung cancer.
 
  Due to the client's poor nutritional status, chemotherapy is not an option. The health care provider also believes that the location of the cancer would make radiation therapy unsuccessful. In advocating for this client, what should the nurse encourage the healthcare team to do?
  A) Provide palliative care to keep the client comfortable without diagnostic testing.
  B) Perform any procedure necessary to diagnose the client properly.
  C) Promote the use of blood tests to diagnose the suspected cancer.
  D) Determine the client's and family's wishes regarding diagnostic testing.

[yuyiding]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: C

The major goal for the dying child is to promote comfort and keep the child pain-free by providing analgesia to promote optimal pain relief. Maintaining a good relationship is important but not a major goal for the child's care. Keeping the child entertained is good, but the client needs to voice her feelings about death and dying. A dying child does not have the energy to maintain a busy schedule.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: D

An older adult emaciated client may have few options for treatment of cancer, if confirmed. The best course of treatment may be palliative care, but it is the choice of the client and family that should direct the plan of care and choices of diagnostic testing.