Module 5: part 2 - Approaching end-of-life with clients and their families

Question 1

advanced directives

Answer 1

means used to document and communicate a persons preferences regarding life sustaining treatment in the event that they become incapable of expressing those wishes themselves

Question 2

advanced directives are usually expressed in 2 ways:

Answer 2

1) an instructive directive or living will, which identifies what life sustaining treatments a person wants in certain situations
2) Proxy directive, which explains who is to make health care decisions if the person becomes incompetent

Question 3

what is good death

Answer 3

one that is free form unavoidable distress and suffering for clients and families wishes and reasonably consistent with clinical, cultural and ethical standars

Question 4

nurses as support for end of life care

Answer 4

• keeping family informed
• providing reassuring attentiveness
• being a compassionate presence
• facilitate final acts by supporting family presence, last goodbyes and private time after death