Palliative Care Flashcards
What is palliative care?
Provide relief, affirms life, dying is a normal process
It doesnt hasten or postpone death
Gives support to help pt live as actively as possible
How is QoL measured?
Difference between reality and expectations
How is palliative care provided?
In teams
What is the most troublesome symptom of being old/ill?
Fatigue (74%)
Pain (71%)
Lack of energy (69%)
Name 5 oral problems associated with meds?
Xerostaemia Oral thrush Sore mouth Drooling Osteonecrosis of the jaw
What causes xerostaemia?
Tumours
Radiotherapy
Drugs - morphone, anticholinergics
What are the associated problems with xerostaemia?
Increase in plaque related diseases tooth decay more bacterial growth and increase acidity Dry lips angular chelitis Hard to eat, swallow and communicate
How do we treat xerostaemia?
Lots of small sips of water
ice chips
pineapple (sialogog so increased saliva production)
chewing gum
How do we treat oral thrush?
Advise management and denture care
What are the treatments for sore mouth?
GCSF for chemo induced mucositis Good OH Bland foods Gelclair Difflam spray Bonjela
Why are systemic analgesics not good to manage skin and mucosal pain?
Don’t work
What causes drooling?
Over production of saliva or inability to swallow
When does drooling occur?
Motorneurone disease, head/neck cancer, Parkinsons, cerebral palsy, stroke
How is drooling managed?
Positioning
Suction
Drugs to dry secretions
What is osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with?
Bisphosphonates, multiple myeloma, oversuppression of bone turnover
