A nurse plans care for a client who is nearing end of life. Which ...

[P68T]

A nurse plans care for a client who is nearing end of life. Which question should the nurse ask when developing this client's plan of care?
 
  a. Is your advance directive up to date and notarized?
  b. Do you want to be at home at the end of your life?
  c. Would you like a physical therapist to assist you with range-of-motion activities?
  d. Have your children discussed resuscitation with your health care provider?

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a client who has lung cancer and is dying. Which prescription should the nurse question?
 
  a. Morphine 10 mg sublingual every 6 hours PRN for pain level greater than 5
  b. Albuterol (Proventil) metered dose inhaler every 4 hours PRN for wheezes
  c. Atropine solution 1 sublingual every 4 hours PRN for excessive oral secretions
  d. Sodium biphosphate (Fleet) enema once a day PRN for impacted stool

[hollysheppard095]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
When developing a plan of care for a dying client, consideration should be given for where the client wants to die. Advance directives do not need to be notarized. A physical therapist would not be involved in end-of-life care. The client should discuss resuscitation with the health care provider and children; do-not-resuscitate status should be the client's decision, not the family's decision.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Pain medications should be scheduled around the clock to maintain comfort and prevent reoccurrence of pain. The other medications are appropriate for this client.