Palliative care Flashcards
What are the common causes of death?
Cancer
IHD
Young people- accidents, suicide
What are the aims of palliative care?
Provide pain and symptom relief
Spiritual and psychosocial support
Intends to neither hasten nor postpone death
Affirms life and regards dying and normal process
Offer support to patient and family
What patients are eligible for palliative care?
Life limiting diagnosis e.g. cancer
Worsening chronic condition e.g. COPD
What factors should be considered in palliative care?
Place of care Resus Natural death Prognosis Information to be provided- patient and/or family
What are the places of palliative care?
Home- generally preferred
Hospice
Hospital
What team members are involved in palliative care?
GP Consultant Nurses District nurses Hospice nurses Religious and cultural groups Home carers
What are the common symptoms dealt with in palliative care?
Pain Dyspnoea N&V Bladder and bowel symptoms Confusion and agitation
What are he common reasons for euthanasia?
Unrelieved symptoms
Dread of further suffering
Depression
What is the palliative performance scale?
Functional assessment to determine patient’s prognosis
What is the ambulation in PPS?
80-100%= full 60-70%= reduced 40-50%= sit/lie 10-30%= totally bed bound
What is the activity in activity and evidence of disease in PPS?
100= normal activity, no disease
90= normal, some disease
80% normal with effort. some disease
70% unable to do normal hobbies, significant disease
60% unable to do any work, extensive disease
50% unable to do any work, extensive disease
10-40% unable to do any activity, extensive disease
What is the self are in PPS?
70-100% full 60% some 50% considerable 40% mainly 30% total care
What is intake in PPS?
90-100% normal
30-80% normal or reduced
20% minimal to sips
10% mouth care only
What is conciousness level in PPS?
70-100% full
50-60% full or confused
20-40% full or drowsy +/- confusion
10% drowsy or coma +/- confusion
What is 0% PPS?
Dead
