The nurse, caring for an older patient who is nearing death, has ...

[kfurse]

The nurse, caring for an older patient who is nearing death, has never taken care of a dying patient before. What is the first thing that the nurse must do prior to caring for this patient?
 
  1. Confirm the patient's code status.
  2. Review the facility's policy on postmortem care.
  3. Confront personal feelings and fears about death.
  4. Confirm that the family has made funeral arrangements.

Question 2

Which of the following cases seen by a nurse working in the emergency department identifies a situation that suggests a case of elder mistreatment?
 
  A) an 85-year-old male who has several small areas of bruising on the back of the hands and is taking clopidogrel sisulfate (Plavix) and aspirin daily
  B) an 86-year-old woman who has three dime-size burned areas on her upper inner thigh
  C) a 77-year-old woman who fell at home after tripping over her dog and broke her arm about 30 minutes earlier
  D) a 73-year-old male with a history of gastric ulcers who is found to be anemic after vomiting blood 3 hours earlier

[zogaridan]

Answer to Question 1

3
Rationale: The nurse does need to be aware of the patient's code status but this is not the first thing that the nurse needs to do prior to caring for the patient.

Answer to Question 2

B