DEATH AND DYING PLUS MORE

Question 1

what are Buddhism beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 1

1. request the priest to deliver their last rites
2. chanting is common
3. brain death is not considered a requirement for death
4. eastern medicine is used which includes herbs and acupuncture
5. giving blood is seen as a gift

Question 2

what are Christian beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 2

1. some give last rites
2. anointing of the sick and priest performs the last sacrament
3. some avoid alcohol/tobacco/ and caffeine
4. some may fast during Lent

Question 3

what are Hindu beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 3

1. may want to lay on the floor while dying
2. a thread is placed around the neck and wrist
3. family pours water into the mouth and bathes the body
4. some are vegetarian
5. some may want to be cremated
6. Hindus practice yoga and homeopathic medicine
7. no organ donation

Question 4

what are Islamic beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 4

1. they are modest and clean
2. they do not eat pork
3. they will want to have a same-sex provider
4. the body faces mecca (east) and is washed and enveloped in white cloth
5. dying clients confess their sins
6. avoid alcohol and pork and they fast during Ramadan

Question 5

what are Jehovah’s witnesses’ beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 5

1. may choose burial or cremation

2. avoid foods having or prepared with blood

Question 6

what are Judaism beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 6

1. someone stays with the body and a burial society prepares the body
2. may have a kosher diet where meat and dairy cannot be placed together
3. burial has to be done quickly before sundown the next day by rabbis

Question 7

what are Mormon beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 7

1. last rites are given and communion is offered
2. burial is preferred
3. avoids alcoho/tobacco/ caffeine

Question 8

what are Roman Catholics beliefs on religion and medical care?

Answer 8

respect life, rituals, sacraments and anointing of the sick

Question 9

who is decision making on death made by?

Answer 9

decision making is made by the client so listen to what the client wants unless they are cognitively impaired

Question 10

who are candidates to receive palliative care?

Answer 10

those with chronic illnesses such as cancer, stroke, organ failure, end stage dementia

Question 11

what is the purpose of palliative care?

Answer 11

improves the quality of life of patients and families who face life threatening illness by providing pain and symptom relief, spiritual and psycho-social support

Question 12

what does palliative care treatment focus on?

Answer 12

treatment focuses on improving quality of life, support for the dying patient to live to the fullest, and prevent and relieve suffering

Question 13

what are physical care that can be given to a patient who is in palliative care?

Answer 13

1. medications to manage pain, air hunger because the patient cannot breathe, and anxiety
2. promote dignity and self esteem by removing products of elimination, grooming, and promote decision making

Question 14

what are psychosocial care aspects that can be given to the patent in palliative care?

Answer 14

prevent fear of dying alone and keep the client informed

Question 15

when does a patient usually go into palliative care?

Answer 15

can be used when patient has more than 6 months to live so they do not qualify for hospice care

Question 16

what makes a patient eligible for hospice?

Answer 16

has to be diagnosed by a physician as having 6 months or less to live and 2 doctors must sign off on it withdrawing the curative care

Question 17

what should the patient know about hospice care?

Answer 17

1. not curative treatment but rather is comfort care

2. can be done at home or inpatient hospital setting

Question 18

what is the plan of care for patients on hospice?

Answer 18

symptom management–> does not treat the disease but treats the symptoms to keep patient comfortable

Question 19

what are teachings to provide the family with a patient who is on hospice?

Answer 19

1. teach that it is not curative treatment
2. prepare family for death of loved one
3. nurse can support family for 1 year following death

Question 20

when is a patient considered brain dead?

Answer 20

when there is no evidence of cerebral or brainstem function for an extended period of time

Question 21

what is the required criteria to consider a patient brain dead?

Answer 21

1. unresponsive coma with absent motor movements
2. apnea
3. pupils fixed and dilated (unresponsive to light)
4. absent ocular responses to head turning (doll eyes)
5. flat EEG
6. no cerebral blood circulation is present in a PET scan so the brain wont light up because there is no blood flow

Question 22

what are teaching points about organ donation to teach the patient and family?

Answer 22

1. wishes may be stated on a card or on the will

2. maintain ventilator and cardiovascular support for vital organ revival

Question 23

what is the decision process that the patient should follow legally before death?

Answer 23

1. ask client about wishes on their advance directive status
2. individuals will choose their preferred treatment plan while mentally able to

Question 24

what are advance directives?

Answer 24

legal documents that allow individuals to choose their preferred treatment plan while they are mentally able to do to ensure their wishes will be carried out when they are unable to make decisions for themselves

Question 25

what is the living will?

Answer 25

document that describes the patient’s treatment preferences about life prolonging procedures such as resuscitation and organ donation

Question 26

what is a durable power of attorney?

Answer 26

gives the person designated power to make medical, legal, and financial decisions for the patient when the patient is no longer able too.

Question 27

what is a DNI?

Answer 27

do not intubate which prohibits endotracheal intubation