Author Question: The family of a young adult client who has recently been diagnosed with a rapidly progressing ... (Read 23 times)

robinn137 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The family of a young adult client who has recently been diagnosed with a rapidly progressing terminal illness tells the nurse, This cannot be happening. There must be some mistake in the testing.

What should be the nurse's first step in assisting this family?
1. Provide structure and continuity to promote feelings of security.
2. Examine the nurse's own feelings to ensure denial is not shared.
3. Offer spiritual support.
4. Allow the family to express sadness.

Question 2

The family of an unconscious, terminally ill client cannot come to a decision about requesting a do-not-resuscitate order. Two of the children want the order, but one child and the client's sister do not agree.

Several heated arguments have occurred in the hall outside the client's room. Efforts to educate the family and mediate in arguments have not helped. What action should the nurse take?
1. Ban the family from the room until they can be polite to each other in front of the client.
2. Have the chaplain attempt mediation.
3. Notify the institutional ethics committee.
4. Talk with each of the children and the client's sister separately in an attempt to understand the conflict.

leahchrapun · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: This would be appropriate to do after the nurse first addresses the potential issue of self-denial of the situation.
Rationale 2: The nurse must first self-examine feelings to ensure that the nurse's behaviors do not demonstrate denial of the situation.
Rationale 3: This would be appropriate to do after the nurse first addresses the potential issue of self-denial of the situation.
Rationale 4: This would be appropriate to do after the nurse first addresses the potential issue of self-denial of the situation.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The best option is to notify the institutional ethics committee. Banning the family from the room, talking individually, and having the chaplain attempt mediation are unlikely to help and may actually inflame the situation more.