Ch. 30 (End-of-Life Care) Flashcards
What defines a program that delivers palliative care to dying individual and support to dying person and that person’s family and caregivers?
hospice care
end-of-life care
What defines care that relieves suffering and provides comfort when cure is not possible?
palliative care
What are the five stages of coping mechanisms with dying?
- denial
- anger
- bargaining
- depression
- acceptance
What are the nursing interventions for family or patients in the denial stage?
- accept reactions
- provide open door for honest dialogue
What are the nursing interventions for family or patients in the anger stage?
- allow them to be angry
What are the nursing interventions for family or patients in the bargaining stage?
- explore feelings with them
What are the nursing interventions for family or patients in the depression stage?
- be with them
- help them understand
What are the nursing interventions for family or patients in the acceptance stage?
- nonverbal vs verbal communication
- simplify environment
What are signs and symptoms of imminent death?
- decline in BP
- rapid/weak pulse
- dyspnea (SOB), period of apnea (agonal respirations)
- slower or no pupil response to light
- profuse perspiration, cold extremities
- bladder & bowel incontinence
- pallow & mottling of skin
- loss of senses (hearing & vision)
When do life-sustaining measures need to be established during a patient’s care?
when patient is admitted
especially when pt is transferred in (always ask if they have DNR)
What is defined as legal document that allows patients to express their desires regarding terminal care and life-sustaining measures?
advanced directives
How do you support nursing staff (such as yourself)?
Explore reactions to death experiences and acknowledge feelings
