What would be the most acceptable intervention for the nurse ...

[ts19998]

What would be the most acceptable intervention for the nurse dealing with a patient with a threat of aspiration?
 
  a. Perform deep tracheal suctioning of the patient every hour.
  b. Place the patient in a side-lying position, with the head turned to the side.
  c. Slightly elevate the foot of the bed, with the patient in a supine position.
  d. Give the patient only thickened fluids.

Question 2

The patient with terminal liver cancer says to the nurse, I'm going to take a long time to die, aren't I? I'm going to get sicker and weaker every day. What would be the best response by the nurse?
 
  a. You will die in 4 to 6 months.
  b. I don't want to hear this kind of negative talk. Make use of the time you have.
  c. We have many medications that can make you feel better.
  d. What concerns you the most about dying?

[matt]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Side-lying is a safe position for reducing the threat of aspiration. The supine position is not appropriate for aspiration reduction. Frequent suctioning is stressful to the patient, and fluids are never attempted for an unconscious patient.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Using an open-ended question but being honest about terminal illness creates an interpersonal environment for effective communication.

[ts19998]

Correct answers!

[matt]

Great! Please up vote