Author Question: While caring for a client who is approaching death, the nurse notices the client's facial expression ... (Read 92 times)

APUS57 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

While caring for a client who is approaching death, the nurse notices the client's facial expression of extreme sadness. What should the nurse do?

1. Leave the client alone.
2. Provide physical care to increase comfort.
3. Acknowledge the client's expression, and ask whether the client would like to talk about her feelings.
4. Offer to provide pain medication.

Question 2

The spouse of a dying client is sitting quietly in the client's room, looking at the floor. What can the nurse do to help the client and spouse during this time?

1. Encourage the spouse to move closer to the client, if desired.
2. Permit the spouse to sit alone.
3. Leave the spouse and client in the room alone together as much as possible.
4. Recommend that the spouse return home to get some rest.
5. Suggest the spouse read to the client, if desired.

randomguy133 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Leaving the client alone does not acknowledge the client's feelings or support the client's emotional needs at this time.
Rationale 2: Providing physical care to increase comfort might not be what the client needs at this time.
Rationale 3: The nurse should establish a communication relationship that shows concern for and commitment to the client. Communication strategies include describing observations and asking whether the client would like to talk about feelings.
Rationale 4: Offering to provide pain medication assumes the client is in pain.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 3, 5
Rationale 1: The dying and the family must be allowed as much privacy as they desire in order to meet their needs for physical and emotional intimacy.
Rationale 2: The nurse should not ignore the spouse.
Rationale 3: The dying client and the family must be allowed as much privacy as they desire in order to meet their needs for physical and emotional intimacy.
Rationale 4: The nurse should not recommend that the spouse return home to get rest.
Rationale 5: Family members should be encouraged to participate in the physical care of the dying person as much as they wish to and are able. The nurse can suggest they assist with bathing, speak or read to the client, and hold hands.