Chapter 10 - Palliative/Hospice Care - Exam 2

Question 1

what is palliative care?

Answer 1

care for seriously ill that addresses a comprehensive plan of care:
psychosocial care
spiritual support
pain control
interdisciplinary collaboration

Question 2

what is hospice care

Answer 2

pts with serious, progressive illness not responding to curative care

Question 3

the goal of palliative care is

Answer 3

reduce the burden of health-related suffering while improving quality of life

Question 4

which sense is usually the last to disappear

Answer 4

hearing

Question 5

max life expectancy in hospice care

Answer 5

6 months

Question 6

which clinical manifestation indicates the patient is nearing death

Answer 6

the patients skin is mottled and waxlike

Question 7

which form would a nurse encourage a patient to take with them in case of end of life care becomes an ethical or legal issue

Answer 7

advance directives

Question 8

a terminally ill pt asks the nurse for paperwork to consent to a no code status. which doc would the nurse provide

Answer 8

dnr

Question 9

the caregiver reports “ my mom stops breathing for a while then breathes fast and hard, then stops again” this is what breathing pattern

Answer 9

cheyne stokes respiration

Question 10

in the absence of advance directives from the patient, the _______ should be the surrogate decision maker

Answer 10

spouse

Question 11

when a patient’s code status is DNR and death is imminent which type of care induces patient restfulness

Answer 11

palliative sedation

Question 13

what is palliative care

Answer 13

focus is improving the quality of life for patients facing serious illness

Question 14

what is the primary goal of palliative care

Answer 14

provide relief from symptoms, pain, and stress that accompany serious conditions

Question 15

palliative care is _______ addressing not only physical symptoms, but also emotional, social and spiritual needs

Answer 15

hollistic

Question 16

true or false: unlike hospice care, which is typically reserved for patients with terminal illnesses in the FINAL stages of life, palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness

Answer 16

true

Question 17

true or false: palliative care can be used alongside CURATIVE treatments

Answer 17

true

Question 18

A nurse is providing care to a terminally ill patient receiving palliative care. The patient expresses concerns about increasing pain and requests additional pain medication. The nurse understands the importance of managing pain effectively in palliative care. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?

A) Administer the prescribed pain medication as ordered by the healthcare provider.
B) Encourage the patient to distract themselves from the pain by watching television.
C) Advise the patient to tough it out as increasing pain is expected in terminal illness.
D) Suggest alternative therapies such as massage or acupuncture instead of pain medication.

Answer 18

Option A, “Administer the prescribed pain medication as ordered by the healthcare provider,” is the appropriate action. In palliative care, effectively managing pain is crucial for improving the patient’s quality of life. The nurse should promptly administer the prescribed pain medication to alleviate the patient’s discomfort and promote comfort. It’s essential to follow the healthcare provider’s orders and ensure that the patient receives appropriate pain relief.

Question 19

when is palliative care most often applied

Answer 19

Palliative care is most often applied when a patient is facing a serious illness that is not necessarily curable. This could include conditions such as advanced cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer’s disease, and other life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care can be initiated at any stage of the illness, from diagnosis through the end of life. It focuses on providing relief from symptoms, pain, and stress associated with the illness, with the goal of improving the patient’s quality of life and supporting their emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Question 20

is palliative care covered by medicare and medicaid

Answer 20

Yes, palliative care is covered by Medicare and medicaid in the United States.

Question 21

is hospice covered by medicare

Answer 21

Yes, Medicare covers hospice care for beneficiaries who are eligible for the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Hospice care is covered under Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). To qualify for hospice coverage, the following criteria generally apply:

The patient must be eligible for Medicare Part A.
A doctor and a hospice medical director must certify that the patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course.
The patient must sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of standard Medicare-covered benefits for the terminal illness.

Question 22

what is the difference between hospice care and palliative care

Answer 22

ospice care and palliative care share similarities but also have distinct differences:

Goal and Timing:

Hospice Care: Hospice care is typically provided to individuals with a terminal illness who have a prognosis of six months or less to live if the disease runs its natural course. The primary goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and support to patients and their families at the end of life.
Palliative Care: Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life. It focuses on improving the quality of life for patients and their families by addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments.
Location:

Hospice Care: Hospice care is often provided in the patient’s home but can also be provided in a hospice facility, nursing home, or hospital, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.
Palliative Care: Palliative care can be provided in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and patients’ homes.
Services Provided:

Hospice Care: Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and symptom management for patients with terminal illnesses. Services may include pain management, nursing care, medical equipment and supplies, counseling, and support for the patient and family members.
Palliative Care: Palliative care addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients with serious illnesses. It includes services such as pain and symptom management, counseling, coordination of care, assistance with decision-making, and support for the patient and family.
Scope of Care:

Hospice Care: Hospice care is specifically tailored to patients who are nearing the end of life, and the focus is on ensuring comfort and dignity during the dying process.
Palliative Care: Palliative care is broader in scope and can be provided to patients with serious illnesses at any stage, from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship or end-of-life care.
Overall, while hospice care and palliative care share the common goal of improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, hospice care is specifically focused on end-of-life care for patients with a terminal prognosis, whereas palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and alongside curative treatments.

Question 23

which condition is most commonly used with palliative care

Answer 23

Palliative care is commonly used for a wide range of serious illnesses, but cancer is one of the most common conditions for which palliative care is provided. Cancer patients often experience significant pain, symptoms, and emotional distress related to their illness and treatments, making palliative care an essential component of their care plan.

However, palliative care is not limited to cancer patients. It can also be provided for individuals with other serious and life-limiting illnesses, such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and end-stage renal disease, among others.

The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses by addressing their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, regardless of the underlying condition. Therefore, palliative care can be beneficial for patients with various conditions, especially those experiencing symptoms that affect their well-being and comfort.