Palliative care Flashcards
1
Q
What is palliative care?
A
Improving the QOL of pt living w life threatening illness - physical, psychological, social and spiritual.
2
Q
How do you recognise a patient is approaching end of life?
A
Pt is likely to die w/i the next 12 months.
- Deterioration in underlying conditions eg. COPD pt becomes more breathless
- Having sx that make you suspicious they are end of life
- Exacerbations worsen or become more frequent
3
Q
What is the ReSPECT process?
A
Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment. Involves agreeing to not start treatment when it has the potential to prolong a pt life:
- Abx for life threatening infection
- CPD
- Renal dialysis
- Artificial nutrition and hydration
- Mechanical ventilation
Discuss with family or patient what their wishes are.
4
Q
What conditions may result in the need for palliative care?
A
- CVD
- Cancer
- Major organ failure
- Drug resistant TB
- Severe burns
- End stage chronic illness
- Acute trauma
- Extreme birth prematurity
- Extreme fraility
- Alzheimer’s disease/dementia
5
Q
What are the common symptoms of an end of life pt?
A
- Anorexia and reduced food/fluid intake
- Weight loss
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Physical weakness
- Pain
- Struggling w self care
- Loss of continence or constipation
- Low mood
- Insomnia
