Communication with pts with serious illnesses Flashcards
What are the three causes of non-pain symptoms?
Disease processes
Treatments
Comorbidities
What are the characteristics of palliative care medicine?
Polysymptomatic
True or false: palliative care pts do not volunteer all of their symptoms
True
True or false: Symptom distress is not always in proportion to severity
True
What is the way to identify hidden symptoms in palliative care pts?
Screen for them
What is the way to identify clinical symptoms?
H&P
When is the PE done relative to the other steps of the clinical symptom assessment
Almost last
Treatments should be chosen based on what?
Goals of care
What can affect goals of care?
- age
- functional status
- overall needs
- rate or change of disease
- life expectancy
What should you always look for in non-pain symptoms, if possible?
The cause of the symptom
How should you approach treatment of a multitude of symptoms?
Starting with the one that causes the most distress
Why is it important to get caregivers involved in screening for symptoms?
Pts may diminish symptoms
Why is it important to document assessment and plan?
SO you can review what happens
for others
What are the three questions to ask in goal setting?
Are goals achievable
Are they beneficial
How measure
What are the eight common non-pain symtoms to focus on?
Constipation N/V Diarrhea BO Anorexia Delerium Depression Dyspnea
What happens to dyspnea as death approaches?
Worsens
True or false: dyspnea occurs commonly in a broad range of diseases
True
True or false: anxiety breeds anxiety
True
What is the gold standard for detecting dyspnea?
Self reporting
True or false: dyspnea is an objective finding
False-subjective
True or false: stats do no reflect dyspnea
True
What is the first step in treating dyspnea
Identifying the cause
Treatment of dyspnea depends on what (besides the cause)?
Prognosis and goals of care
What are the causes of dyspnea (BREATH AIR)
Bronchospasm Rales Effusion Airway obstruction Thick secretions Hemoglobin low Anxiety Interpersonal issues Religious concerns