A nurse is teaching new graduates about the nature of palliative ...

[Capo]

A nurse is teaching new graduates about the nature of palliative care on her unit. Which of the following statements by a new nurse indicates a need for further teaching?
 
  A) I can see how important it is for us to educate patients and their families and friends on the unit.
  B) It certainly requires a change in thinking to understand why we don't provide any medical interventions for patients.
  C) I can see how comfort and psychosocial well-being take precedence over physical functioning.
  D) Purpose in life and quality of life seem to be the overarching goals of palliative care.

Question 2

A nurse administrator incorporates older adults' sexuality into the policies of a long-term care facility. Which of the following should be included in this plan? (Select all that apply.)
 
  A) Allow public masturbation.
  B) Ask permission to enter a room.
  C) House spouses separately.
  D) Knock on door before entering.
  E) Redirect inappropriate sexual behaviors.

[tsternbergh47]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
While the focus of palliative care is not on curing disease, this does not mean that treatments of all kinds are absent. Distressing symptoms are addressed from both a nursing perspective and a medical perspective. Education is a key component of palliative care, and comfort and psychosocial well-being trump physical functioning. Purpose in life and quality of life are similarly emphasized.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B, D, E
Masturbation is normal, but not appropriate for public places, assuring that the clients' rooms are their own personal space and assuring privacy while in those rooms are important to sexuality. Sexual behaviors that impinge on others' comfort should be redirected. Components of sexuality that are especially important for older adults include kissing, hugging, intimacy, fantasy, masturbation, oral sex, loving words, physical closeness, and expressions of affection.