Unit 10 Chapter 8 End of life concepts

Question 1

Hospice requirements

Answer 1

Hospice—Interdisciplinary approach
* Assesses/addresses holistic needs of patients and families to facilitate quality of life and peaceful death
* Can be done at home, in a nursing facility, or as a general inpatient.
* Is generally when a patient has 6 months or less to live but can be extended on a case-by-case basis
* Must forego curative treatment for their terminal illness

Question 2

Palliative requirements

Answer 2

 Helps patients and families identify outcomes for care
 Assists them with informed decision making
 Facilitates quality symptom management
 Is a consultation that is provided along with curative therapies
 Care is not dictated by time frames

Question 3

Principles of Hospice care

Answer 3

Death must be accepted.
-The patient’s total care is managed by an
interdisciplinary team.
-Pain and other symptoms are managed.—–The patient and the family are viewed as a single unit of care.
-Bereavement care is provided for family members.

Question 4

Palliative vs Hospice care

Answer 4

Palliative care: emphasizes management of psychological, social, and spiritual problems as well as control of pain and other physical
symptoms. The goal is to improve quality of life.

Hospice Care: Hospice care is associated with palliative care delivered at home or in special hospice facilities
to patients who are approaching the end of life.

Question 5

Therapuetic communication techniques

Answer 5

Resist the impulse to fill “empty space.” -Allow the patient and family sufficient time to reflect and respond.
Avoid distractions.
Avoid the impulse to give advice.
Avoid canned responses.
Ask questions.
-Assess understanding, both your own and the patient’s and family’s.

Question 6

s/s of Approaching death

Answer 6

• Refusal of food and fluids
  -Urinary output decreases
  -Weakness
  -increased sleep
  -Confusion
  -restlessness
  -Impaired vision and hearing
  -Secretions in throat
  -Breathing pattern changes
  -Incontinence
  -Decreased temperature control

Question 7

Will the patien and family go through the grief process together?
A. NO
B. yes

Answer 7

B. yes

Question 8

Inhibited grief

Answer 8

Inhibited grief involves repressing emotions.

Question 9

Example of Inhibited Grief

Answer 9

Examples of Inhibited Grief

Examples of inhibited grief may look like:

Someone who tries to constantly stay busy and avoids staying still
Self-medicating often with drugs and/or alcohol
Avoiding grief related triggers at any cost
Discussing the deceased individual or situation as if nothing has changed
Carrying on with their life without taking any time for themselves (for example, not taking any time off of work to grieve)