T3-Death and Dying

Question 1

How does a toddler understand death? (3)

Answer 1

• Only thinks in here and now
• Extension of the fear of separation
• Senses feelings of others

Question 2

How does the preschool understand death? (4)

Answer 2

• Temp. departure (“the dead person in the coffin still breathes”
• Relate death to sleep
• Death and illness are punishment
• Worry who will provide care for them afterwards

Question 3

How does the school-ager understand death? (6)

Answer 3

• Death is permanent
• Happens only to adults
• Death is immobility
• Fears pain and abdonment
• Curios about death rituals
• May think they caused it

Question 4

How does the adolescent understand death? (3)

Answer 4

• Risk taking behaviors–think they are immune to death
• May want to plan own funeral
• May feel anger because cannot plan for the future

Question 5

Interventions designed to provide pain and symptom management that allows for optimal functioning with the time remaining

Answer 5

Palliative care

Question 6

Is palliative care done by a single person or multidisciplinary team?

Answer 6

Multidisciplinary team

Question 7

What is palliative care centered on?

Answer 7

Child and family preferences

Question 8

What are palliative care environments?

Answer 8

Hospital
Home
Hospice

Question 9

The dying child: What do we ask the child?

Answer 9

What they know about death, feelings

Question 10

The dying child:

What language is used?

Answer 10

Be honest–don’t use cliches (“passed away”)

Question 11

The dying child: What do we mean by “be patient”?

Answer 11

• Assure they will not be along

- May take time to process information

Question 12

Give some examples of physical signs of the dying child.

Answer 12

• Increased sleeping
• Decreased appetite and thirst
• Loss of sensation in the lower extremities progressing upward
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Loss of bowel and bladder control
• Difficulty swallowing
• Change in resp. pattern

Question 13

Imminent death:

• Ensure someone is there ____
• Discuss ____ events or death itself
• Help parents do all they can do ____
• Be aware of parental reactions to ___ (DO NOT JUDGE)
• SHould we include siblings and grandparents?
• What types of death?

Answer 13

• There all the time
• Discuss everyday events or death itself
• Emotionally
• Be aware of parents reactions to death! (Do not judge!)
• Yes, include siblings and gps
• Types of death: quiet and expected; expected but traumatic

Question 14

When should we raise the topic about organ donation?

Answer 14

Before death occurs