Author Question: The nurse is providing care for a client with terminal breast cancer. The client's children ask if ... (Read 109 times)

asan beg · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is providing care for a client with terminal breast cancer. The client's children ask if their mother will exhibit any signs and symptoms prior to death.

When responding to the family, which statements regarding the expected clinical manifestations of impending death will the nurse include?

Select all that apply.

1. Your mother's jaw may sag.
2. Your mother may have difficulty speaking.
3. Your mother may have trouble swallowing.
4. Your mother may feel hot to the touch.
5. Your mother may begin to breathe only through her nose.

Question 2

The nurse is providing care to a client who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. When meeting the physiological needs of this dying client, which items will the nurse include in the assessment process?

Select all that apply.
1. Determine if the client has advance directives.
2. Determine if the client is experiencing any physiological signs of impending death.
3. Ask questions to determine ways to support the client and family.
4. Ask the family if they want to view the body after death.
5. Provide adequate pain control.

lcapri7 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3

Clinical manifestations that occur prior to death include relaxation of the facial muscles, which can cause the jaw to sag; difficulty speaking; and trouble swallowing. Prior to death, the skin feels cool to the touch, not warm, and clients often become mouth breathers prior to death, not nose breathers.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,4

The nurse must assess the client and family needs in order to meet the physiological needs of the client who is dying. Important items to include in the assessment process include determining if the client has advance directives, determining if the client is exhibiting any physiological signs of impending death, asking questions to the client and family to determine how to support them during the dying process, and asking the family if they want to view the body after death. Although pain control is important, administering pain medication is not included in the assessment process.