Palliative Care

Question 1

What is palliative care?

Answer 1

An approach that improves quality of life of patients and their families facing life threatening illness through prevention and relief of suffering

Question 2

Features when diagnosing dying?

Answer 2

Worsening weakness and performance status
Worsening physiological status with no reversibility
Struggling to manage oral meds
Losing interest in food and fluid
Sleeping more, eventual unconsciousness

Question 3

Cancer pain management?

Answer 3

Nonopioid- paracetamol - if >50kg NSAID
Opioid mild to moderate pain - codeine, tramadol - plus nonopioid
Opioid for moderate to severe pain - morphine, dimorphine, methadome

Question 4

Side effects of mrophine and prevention?

Answer 4

Nausea and constipation

Prescribe laxative and antiemetic PRN

Question 5

How many medicines can be mixed together in a syringe and given s/c?

Answer 5

3

Question 6

What needle is used for s/c?

Answer 6

Butterfly

Question 7

Is morphine more potent as s/c or oral?

Answer 7

Twice more s/c