Bereavement (13 Nov) Flashcards
What is a “Good Death”?
- Having control over pain and other
symptoms. - Dying in the place of choice.
- Having good relationship with family.
- Cared by staff with high level of knowledge
and expertise.
Anticipating and preparing for death
- Is the patient comfortable?
* Review medication for appropriateness for
end-of-life stage.
* Switch essential medications to non-oral
route.
* Anticipatory medication (example:
standby Haloperidol for delirium)
* Stop unnecessary medications,
procedures, monitoring such
as blood pressure or Sp02.
* Evaluate symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, dry mouth, agitation, secretions.
* Nursing care - Skin, oral, bladder, bowel - Family/caregiver coping ability
Onset of dying symptoms
- Profound weakness
- Gaunt appearance
- Disorientation
- Diminished oral intake
- Poor concentration
- Skin colour changes
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty taking oral medications
- Temperature change at extremities
Symptom management for pain
Assess and manage appropriately:
- non verbal expression such as grimacing, tensed body, moaning.
Symptom management of breathlessness
Assess and manage appropriately:
- any use of accessory muscles, frowning, tensed facial muscles.
Symptom management of fever
Tepid sponge
Administer paracetamol suppository or NSAIDS (as appropriate)
Symptom management of Dry skin and mouth
Apply skin moisturiser
Perform oral care
Symptom management of “missy my body feels cold”
Cover with blanket to keep patient warm and comfortable.
Symptom management of sleepiness/drowsiness
Keep calm environment
Continue to communicate with patient (include family members and loved ones)
What are terminal secretions?
- Terminal secretions (rattling) are
often observed in an imminently
dying person. - It often indicates a short
prognosis. In general, it is within
hours to short days after
secretions are first diagnosed. - It may be distressing to family or
caregivers.
Causes of terminal secretions
- As a person is dying, becoming
increasing unconscious and
causing the salivary secretions
or bronchial secretions
accumulating in the pharynx
and upper airways. - As air moves over a pooled
secretion in the oropharynx
and bronchi, resulting
turbulence and produces
“rattling” sound.
Pharmacological management of terminal secretions
- Anti-muscarinic / anti-cholinergic drugs
are used to reduce terminal secretions, it
should be given subcutaneously or
sublingual, examples: - SC Buscopan
- SC Scopolamine
- SC Glycopyrrolate
- Atropine 1% eye drops
Non-pharmacological management of terminal secretions
- Position patient on the side or a semi-prone
position to facilitate postural drainage - Good mouth hygiene
- Stop or reduce artificial nutrition and hydration
- Proactively explain and reassure family:
- No evidence it is distressing to patient
- Patient is not ‘drowning’
Why is suctioning not performed in palliative patients with terminal secretions?
- Most secretions are usually below the pharynx
and inaccessible to suctioning. It is also causing
discomfort to patient. Routine deep suctioning is
discouraged.
What are causes of terminal restlessness?
- Patient is uncomfortable.
- Full bladder.
- Urinary retention.
- Impacted bowel .
- Inadequate pain or symptoms control.
- Drug toxicity.
- Emotional upset.
- Fear, anxiety, unresolved issues.
- Altered biochemistry-hypercalcemia, uremia.
- Cerebral anoxia.
- Stimulation of busy care environment- activity
and lighting.
How to communicate with family/caregiver regarding end of life and bereavement?
- No longer able to have oral intake (Discuss about hunger and thirst, if not already done.)
- Prepare them of impending death so that
they can say farewell. - Encourage them to continue
communicating with patient through: Touch, Assuring statements such as ‘I am here with you’, ‘we love you’.
What can family do when patient is actively dying?
- Participate in basic hygiene such as oral care.
- Apply lotion to skin.
- Continue talking to patient such as saying
goodbye. - Prepare calm environment such as playing
soothing music or prayers.
What are some factors affecting where patients wish to die?
- Social circumstances. (Example: close family is supportive of being at home.)
- Psychological factors. (Example: many people do not want to feel a burden to their family.)
What is a Compassionate Discharge?
- Compassionate discharge is defined as a discharge home when patients are critically ill and likely to pass away within short hours or days.
What should be discussed with seriously ill patients with little chance of recovery before compassionate discharge?
- For seriously ill patients with little chance of recovery, it is a good practice to proactively discuss about patients’ preference of place of death to facilitate early planning and coordination.