Essentials in Critical Care Nursing Chapter 19 End of
Life Care
1. The ICU nurse caring for a patient at the end of life understands that "limitation" of
care refers to a decision:
1. To stop all measures, including pain medication
2. To exclude all but immediate family members from the patient's room
3. Not to initiate one or more interventions
4. To stop one or more therapies after they had been initiated: 3
2. The decision has been made to not start needed dialysis on a patient in the
intensive care unit. According to Connell (2005), this decision would fall under which
category of ICU deaths?
1. Failed CPR
2. Withdrawal
3. Brain death
4. Limitation: 4
3. A nurse might elect to have a family present during CPR on a critically ill
patient because it is likely to have which benefits?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are
, selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Staff members are reminded of the patient's personhood.
2. The family may realize the seriousness of the patient's illness and understand the
gravity of the situation.
3. Fewer lawsuits occur when the family members see the care given by the health
care team.
4. The family may provide comfort and support to the patient.
5. The family can understand the expenses needed with the multitude of
equipment used in critical care.: 1,2,4
4. When planning to allow a family to be at the bedside during CPR, the nurse
should anticipate which possible outcome based on reports from post-CPR patients?
1. The family will be unhappy after seeing the pain and suffering caused by CPR.
The patient will feel comforted and supported by his family's presence.
3. The family will be overwhelmed by the confusion and busyness of the events.
4. The patient will be frustrated because of not being able to speak to the
family.: 2
5.What does the nurse have a legal responsibility to prevent if family members are
present while CPR is delivered to a patient?
, 1. Post-traumatic stress syndrome of family members from viewing CPR
2. Breach of confidentiality about the patient's medical information during CPR
3. Family vendetta for perceived unskilled or less efficient staff during CPR
4. Patient's lack of privacy and physical exposure during CPR: 2
6.When using the mnemonic "in-or-out" as a guideline for evaluating family
presence during CPR, what would the nurse include during the "R" step?
1. Identify the relationship to the patient and the family decision maker.
2. Explain the rationale for health outcomes and management options.
3. Assess the family's reason for wanting to be present in the room.
4. React to data collected during the family discussion.: 1
7.When caring for a bereaved family member, the nurse would avoid which
inappropriate action?
1. Offer privacy and a listening ear to the family before speaking.
2. Avoid technical, hospital, or medical terminology when explaining conditions or
treatments.
3. Offer clichés, such as "she lived a good life," to make the family feel better.
4. Use direct eye contact and offer comfort by touching.: 3
8.How would the nurse explain "brain death" to a family member? Brain death is:
Life Care
1. The ICU nurse caring for a patient at the end of life understands that "limitation" of
care refers to a decision:
1. To stop all measures, including pain medication
2. To exclude all but immediate family members from the patient's room
3. Not to initiate one or more interventions
4. To stop one or more therapies after they had been initiated: 3
2. The decision has been made to not start needed dialysis on a patient in the
intensive care unit. According to Connell (2005), this decision would fall under which
category of ICU deaths?
1. Failed CPR
2. Withdrawal
3. Brain death
4. Limitation: 4
3. A nurse might elect to have a family present during CPR on a critically ill
patient because it is likely to have which benefits?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are
, selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Staff members are reminded of the patient's personhood.
2. The family may realize the seriousness of the patient's illness and understand the
gravity of the situation.
3. Fewer lawsuits occur when the family members see the care given by the health
care team.
4. The family may provide comfort and support to the patient.
5. The family can understand the expenses needed with the multitude of
equipment used in critical care.: 1,2,4
4. When planning to allow a family to be at the bedside during CPR, the nurse
should anticipate which possible outcome based on reports from post-CPR patients?
1. The family will be unhappy after seeing the pain and suffering caused by CPR.
The patient will feel comforted and supported by his family's presence.
3. The family will be overwhelmed by the confusion and busyness of the events.
4. The patient will be frustrated because of not being able to speak to the
family.: 2
5.What does the nurse have a legal responsibility to prevent if family members are
present while CPR is delivered to a patient?
, 1. Post-traumatic stress syndrome of family members from viewing CPR
2. Breach of confidentiality about the patient's medical information during CPR
3. Family vendetta for perceived unskilled or less efficient staff during CPR
4. Patient's lack of privacy and physical exposure during CPR: 2
6.When using the mnemonic "in-or-out" as a guideline for evaluating family
presence during CPR, what would the nurse include during the "R" step?
1. Identify the relationship to the patient and the family decision maker.
2. Explain the rationale for health outcomes and management options.
3. Assess the family's reason for wanting to be present in the room.
4. React to data collected during the family discussion.: 1
7.When caring for a bereaved family member, the nurse would avoid which
inappropriate action?
1. Offer privacy and a listening ear to the family before speaking.
2. Avoid technical, hospital, or medical terminology when explaining conditions or
treatments.
3. Offer clichés, such as "she lived a good life," to make the family feel better.
4. Use direct eye contact and offer comfort by touching.: 3
8.How would the nurse explain "brain death" to a family member? Brain death is:
