Palliative care for Older Adults

Question 1

Biggest lesson

Answer 1

Everyone dies, therefoer, you need to talk about how people want die and be okay with being present with the conversation and discussion of death

Question 2

What is end of life care

Answer 2

Comfort
QOL
Respect for personal health care treatment decision
Support for family
Psych, cultural, and spiritual concerns for individuals/families

Question 3

How is QOL defined

Answer 3

By the individual

Question 4

Palliative care is for who

Answer 4

Anyone with serious illness

Moves away from treatment to support and comfort

Question 5

Goals of care include

Answer 5

Advanced Directives (MOST)
End of Life plan (living will)
MAID

Question 6

Biggest Role as a nurse in regards to MOST

Answer 6

Being the connection for information transfer

Advocate for awareness for MOST, know your patients desire for end of life care

Question 7

Learned helplessness

Answer 7

Decompensation

Question 8

Flare up Plan

Answer 8

Care support plan for situations of exacerbations

Question 9

Diagnosis and prognosis guideline

Answer 9

Understand how quickly your patient’s condition is generally progressing
○ If your patient is changing monthly: months
○ If your patient is changing weekly: weeks
○ If your patient is changing daily: days
○ If your patient is changing hourly: hours

Question 10

physical symptoms relevant to palliative

Answer 10

Fatigue
Constipation
Dyspnea
Nausea and vomiting
Dehydration
Anorexia

Question 11

One of the biggest fears (physical symptom)

Answer 11

Dyspnea (not being able to catch their breath)

Question 12

Managing nausea + vomiting

Answer 12

Not feeding them too much

Assess and treat cause

Question 13

SS at end of life

Answer 13

Altered breathing pattern
Changing circulation
Decreased muscle tone
Decreased senses (Except hearing)