End Of Life In The Critical Care Setting Flashcards
What is still important at the end of life?
Human touch
If a pt comes in with delirium .. what do we assess?
Assess for cause ( can be reversible)
Assess for pain, constipation , urinary retention
If pt can’t talk how can we assess for pain?
Vitals
Facial expression
Restlessness
Moving , fidgeting
Psychological signs of EOL
Delirium
Anxiety & fear
Life review
Visions- air picking
Withdrawal
Waiting for approval
Saying good bye
Cardiovascular and respiratory signs of EOL
Tachy then Brady , irregular
Dyspnea
Weak pulse
Decrease BP
Delayed absorption of drugs
Cheyne strokes
Terminal secretions, gurgling
Cold feet ( lack of pulses in pedal about 3 days before death & radial sometimes day before)
If a pt is full code and they stop breathing - what do we do?
CPR, ventilation
Which drug route of administration especially have delayed absorption
IM or SUB Q
Most pt do have a peripheral line or picc .. what do we do if they dont have it?
Use a butterfly and place in the subq .. and put in morphine if needed for pain but Becareful because they have delayed absorption
Cheyne stokes
Stop breathing for a minute then take a deep breath
Interventions for terminal secretions , gurgling
Don’t sunction
Opt for anticholinergic- Benadryl ( if they can take oral ) , Claritin ,
Drugs given for terminal secretions or gurgling
Anticholinergics such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), zertec , Claritin
Diphenhydramine can be given PO if they take it or IV
IM too but be careful with absorption
Sit them up and turn them on their side
What intervention can we do if a pt is in the middle of a Cheyne stoke to see if they are gone or just need to be stimulataed?
Sternal rub
Last thing to go as far as sensory
Hearing
Sensory issues as far as site
Blurred vision, blink reflex absent , eyelids stay half open
Can put something easy over eyes to close them
Teach the family this can happen
Other sensory issues in EOL
Taste and smell -decreased
Touch -decreased
Even though touch is decreased what do we encourage
Human touch
Pain in EOL
Facial grimacing
Restless, tense
Attempts to sit up
Pulls at lines
Muscle rigidity or tension
Moaning
Crying , sobbing
In EOL the skin is cold , clammy and mottling.. what causes this
Perfusion issues
In the musculoskeletal system in EOL care the pt has a loss of ability to move. If the pt is stable what can we do?
ROM
What causes myoclonus
Build up of opioids due to lack of body metabolizing them.. watch for twitches when pt has morphine.. may indicate need to change medication
Gastrointestinal changes in EOL
Hypoactive /absent BS
Distention
Constipation
N&V ( if eating)
Bowel incontinence
Genitourinary changes in EOL
Oliguria
Anuria
Incontinence
Pulses in EOL
Weaker typically in bottom
So get Doppler to hear pulses and assess if feet are cold..
3 days before death no pulses in foot and typically one day before death no radial pulses but that depends on
Brain death
No function to the brain due to stroke, trauma, herniation or sudden cardiac arrest
What does the brain stem control
Breathing
Body tempt
Digestion
Alertness
Sleeping
Swallowing
When they determine brain death.. what day is that considered ?
The day of death
So when a trauma occurs that leads to brain death .. what happens
Leads to increase ICP causing brain herniation , effecting the brain stem
Criteria for brain death
GCS -<8 (coma or unresponsive)
A sense of brain stem reflexes
Apnea