End of life part 1

Question 1

What is palliative care?

Answer 1

• support for symptom management
• psychosocial, spiritual needs
• enhances quality of life

Question 2

What is hospice?

Answer 2

• end of life care
• curative treatment stops
• at home or in hospice facility

Question 3

What are the 6 types of grief?

Answer 3

• anticipatory: long before actual death
• dysfunctional: can’t express or can’t stop expressing
• complicated: trouble recovering from the emotions
• Inhibitive: can’t express emotionally but can physically
• Mourning: actions, expressions, rituals around grief
• Bereavement: grieving over loss

Question 4

What are the 2 types of loss?

Answer 4

actual: death, loss of limb
perceived: loss of youth or independence

Question 5

What are the 5 stages of grief?

Answer 5

• denial: can’t be true
• anger: why me?
• bargain: I want to see my grandchild born
• depression: sadness, grief, mourning
• acceptance: I am ready to die now

Question 6

What are the 3 types of advanced directives?

Answer 6

• Durable power of attorney: who will speak for me if I can’t myself
• Living Will: what life sustaining treatments does the pt want
• Other wishes: organ donation, religious preferences, funeral home

Question 7

What is a POLST?

Answer 7

physicians order for life sustaining treatment

-This is what would be hung on the fridge for a DNR patient in hospice.

Question 8

What is the end of life option act?

Answer 8

• CA law that allows mentally competent adult residents to get a prescription for a drug that will end their life.
• the pt has a 6 month life expectancy
• 2 physicians will confirm for eligibility

Question 9

What does the ANA say about the end of life option act?

Answer 9

Nurses need to respect the pt choice.

Question 10

What are the 5 needs of the dying pt?

Answer 10

• physiologic: physical like hygiene, pain control, nutritional
• physiological needs: pt needs control over fear, pain separation, unfinished business
• Needs for intimacy: physical needs of both partners
• Spiritual needs: needs for meaning and purpose, love and relatedness, forgiveness and hope

Question 11

Is it appropriate for the nurse to attend the funeral?

Answer 11

yes, nurse can attend the funeral and make a follow up visit to the family

Question 12

When providing postmortem care when should you not remove dressings, tubes, and drains?

Answer 12

-if there is an autopsy scheduled or if pt died of communicable disease follow local law