exam 2 - end of life care
- controlling symptoms
- coordinating care
- reducing unnecessary tests and use-
focus of palliative care
less interventions
- ongoing conversations w/ the pt and
family
support and care for people in the last
phase of an incurable disease, allowing
hospice care
them to live as fully and comfortably as
possible
hospice vs palliative care
- death itself
- thoughts of a long or painful death
- facing death alone
- dying in a nursing home, hospital, or at
home
- loss of body control
common fears and concerns of dying - not being able to make decisions con-
cerning care
- LOC
- financial costs and becoming a burden
to others
- dying before able to put personal affairs
in order
- dyspnea
- moaning/groaning at rest and/or w/
movement
- failure to eat, drink, or respond to the
presence of others
- grimacing or strained facial expression
pain symptoms during the dying process - guarding or not moving parts of the
body
- resisting care
- noncooperation w/ therapeutic inter-
ventions
- tachycardia, diaphoresis, or change in
VS
pain relief during the dying process 1/5
, exam 2 - end of life care
- nonpharmcologic
- pharmacologic ’ adjuvant drugs and opi-
oids
- secretions
- anorexia and dehydration
- skin integrity
- incontinence
distressing symptoms at the end of life
- terminal delirium
- change in respiratory pattern ’
cheyne-stokes respirations
- restlessness
secretions
- reposition pt on their side
- oral care
- suction
- give meds to decrease secretions
anorexia and dehydration
- do not force pt to eat/drink
- offer small sips of liquid or ice chips
- use moist swabs on lips and in mouth
- coat the lips w/ lip balm
skin integrity
management of the distressing symp-
- cover the pt w/ a blanket
toms at end of life
incontinence
- keep area clean and dry
- use disposable pads and undergar-
ments
- offer a foley or purewick for comfort
terminal delirium
- identify yourself when talking to the pt
- reorient the pt as needed
- speak softly, clearly, and truthfully
change in breathing pattern
2/5
- controlling symptoms
- coordinating care
- reducing unnecessary tests and use-
focus of palliative care
less interventions
- ongoing conversations w/ the pt and
family
support and care for people in the last
phase of an incurable disease, allowing
hospice care
them to live as fully and comfortably as
possible
hospice vs palliative care
- death itself
- thoughts of a long or painful death
- facing death alone
- dying in a nursing home, hospital, or at
home
- loss of body control
common fears and concerns of dying - not being able to make decisions con-
cerning care
- LOC
- financial costs and becoming a burden
to others
- dying before able to put personal affairs
in order
- dyspnea
- moaning/groaning at rest and/or w/
movement
- failure to eat, drink, or respond to the
presence of others
- grimacing or strained facial expression
pain symptoms during the dying process - guarding or not moving parts of the
body
- resisting care
- noncooperation w/ therapeutic inter-
ventions
- tachycardia, diaphoresis, or change in
VS
pain relief during the dying process 1/5
, exam 2 - end of life care
- nonpharmcologic
- pharmacologic ’ adjuvant drugs and opi-
oids
- secretions
- anorexia and dehydration
- skin integrity
- incontinence
distressing symptoms at the end of life
- terminal delirium
- change in respiratory pattern ’
cheyne-stokes respirations
- restlessness
secretions
- reposition pt on their side
- oral care
- suction
- give meds to decrease secretions
anorexia and dehydration
- do not force pt to eat/drink
- offer small sips of liquid or ice chips
- use moist swabs on lips and in mouth
- coat the lips w/ lip balm
skin integrity
management of the distressing symp-
- cover the pt w/ a blanket
toms at end of life
incontinence
- keep area clean and dry
- use disposable pads and undergar-
ments
- offer a foley or purewick for comfort
terminal delirium
- identify yourself when talking to the pt
- reorient the pt as needed
- speak softly, clearly, and truthfully
change in breathing pattern
2/5
