Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who just died after a lengthy illness. Which portions of ... (Read 23 times)

RRMR · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who just died after a lengthy illness. Which portions of postmortem care may be delegated to the nursing assistant? (Select all that apply.)

a. Gently washing the body and closing the patient's eyes
b. Offering support and empathy to the patient's family members
c. Documenting the patient's time of death in the medical record
d. Notifying all of the patient's consulting physicians of the patient's death
e. Removing the patient's hospital ID band, IV lines, and urinary catheter
f.
Gathering the patient's belongings so they may be taken home by the family

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has just died. Which assessment findings by the physician and nurse are used to confirm that death has occurred? (Select all that apply.)

a. The patient was incontinent of bowel and bladder.
b. The patient's pupils are fixed and dilated.
c. The physician does not hear a heartbeat.
d. The patient's extremities are cool and mottled.
e. The patient has no palpable peripheral pulses.
f.
The patient's face is relaxed and the mouth is open.

heinisk01 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, F
The nurse assistant can gently wash the patient's body, close the patient's eyes, and gather the patient's belongings. Offering support and empathy to the patient's family members should be done by the nurse along with documenting the time of death in the chart and notifying all of the patient's physicians. The nurse assistant can remove the patient's IV lines and urinary catheter, but the hospital ID band should be left in place.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B, C, E
Assessment findings that confirm death has occurred include lack of pulse/heartbeat and fixed dilated pupils. Cool, mottled extremities, relaxed muscles, and incontinence are common assessment findings in patients who are dying.