Author Question: A hospice nurse who has become close to a terminally ill patient is present in the home when the ... (Read 53 times)

lbcchick · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A hospice nurse who has become close to a terminally ill patient is present in the home when the patient dies and feels saddened and tearful as the family members begin to cry. Which action should the nurse take at this time?

a. Contact a grief counselor as soon as possible.
b. Cry along with the patient's family members.
c. Leave the home as soon as possible to allow the family to grieve privately.
d. Consider whether working in hospice is desirable because patient losses are common.

Question 2

The nurse cares for a patient with lung cancer in a home hospice program. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Discuss cancer risk factors and appropriate lifestyle modifications.
b. Encourage the patient to discuss past life events and their meaning.
c. Teach the patient about the purpose of chemotherapy and radiation.
d. Accomplish a thorough head-to-toe assessment several times a week.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
It is appropriate for the nurse to cry and express sadness in other ways when a patient dies, and the family is likely to feel that this is therapeutic. Contacting a grief counselor, leaving the family to grieve privately, and considering whether hospice continues to be a satisfying place to work are all appropriate actions as well, but the nurse's initial action at this time should be to share the grieving process with the family.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The role of the hospice nurse includes assisting the patient with the important end-of-life task of finding meaning in the patient's life. Frequent head-to-toe assessments are not needed for hospice patients and may tire the patient unnecessarily. Patients admitted to hospice forego curative treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation for lung cancer. Discussion of cancer risk factors and therapies is not appropriate.