Author Question: A palliative team is caring for a dying patient in severe pain. Which action is the priority? a. ... (Read 32 times)

jazziefee · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A palliative team is caring for a dying patient in severe pain. Which action is the priority?

a. Provide postmortem care for the patient.
b. Support the patient's nurse in grieving.
c. Teach the patient the stages of grief.
d. Enhance the patient's quality of life.

Question 2

A nursing assistive personnel (NAP) is caring for a dying patient. Which action by the NAP will cause the nurse to intervene?

a. Elevating head of bed
b. Making the patient eat
c. Giving mouth care every 2 to 4 hours
d. Keeping skin clean, dry, and moisturized

sokh · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The primary goal of palliative care is to help patients and families achieve the best quality of life. Providing support for the patient's nurse is not the primary obligation when the patient is experiencing severe pain. Not all collaborative team members on the palliative team would be able to provide postmortem care, as is the case for nutritionists, social workers, and pharmacists. Teaching about stages of grief should not be the focus when severe pain is present.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Patients should never be forced to eat so the nurse will intervene to correct this inappropriate behavior. Eating in the last days of life often causes the patient pain and discomfort. Equally, as the body is shutting down the nutrients in food are not able to be absorbed. Therefore, forcing patients to eat serves no beneficial purpose for the patient. All the rest are correct and do not need the nurse to intervene. Elevating the head of the bed is appropriate and will promote ease of breathing and lung expansion and facilitate postural drainage. Giving mouth care will protect membranes if dehydrated, nauseated, or vomiting. Keeping skin clean, dry, and moisturized will decrease skin discomfort and prevent skin breakdown.