Answers
C
Call 911
If patient is expected to die at home, what
should you NOT do?
Care that focuses on the relief of pain associated
with severe illness.
What is palliative care?
- Patient is able to communicate the decision with
the healthcare team
What makes a patient capable of making - Patient understands the nature and
treatment decisions? Give three examples. consequences of treatment
- Patient states the benefits and risks associated
with the treatment
Anyone the patient points to make medical decisions for them when they are
What is a power of attorney?
nonresponsive.
What is a living will? Medical wishes of the patient
- Withdrawn
What are four signs of the early stages of - Loss in social contact
death? - Loss of appetite
- Sleeps a lot
- Decline in mental status
- Decrease in body temperature and BP
What are six signs of the middle stages of - Pulse rate become irregular
death? (Hint: D.D.P.R.S.S) - Respirations become labored and rapid
- Skin color changes
- Speaking slow
, - Coma
- Cold/ mottled extremities
What are five signs of the late stages of
- Cheyne-stoke respirations
death? (Hint: C.C.C.L.R)
- Loss of ability to swallow or control secretions
- Respirations may sound loud and wet
- Decreased ability to swallow
What are three signs of impending death? - Gurgling sounds in airway
- Restless
- Denial
- Anger
What are the stages of grief? - Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
Give 2 examples (statements) that a patient - "This treatment will work."
is in denial about their death? - "I will be able to attend my son's graduation next year."
What are the three priorities of hospice? Pain control, comfort, and a dignified death
- Less than six months to live.
- Terminal illness/ prolonging treatment
What qualifies a patient for hospice?
What do you do when a patient quality for - Ensure providers orders.
hospice? - Talk to family and patient decision
What medications help dry up excess Anticholinergics (ex; atropine or scopolamine)
secretions in the upper airway?
What medications can relieve pain and air Opioids (Morphine)
hunger as well as decrease respirations?
What two medications help with delirium? Haloperidol and benzodiazepines
What is the only type of euthanasia for Withdrawal of care
humans accepted in all US states?
If patient has an DNR, but family wants to Ask patient if they have an POA.
keep them alive what do you do?
If the family and nursing staff do not agree Go to the ethics committee.
on specific action that the patient has on
their advance directive and the patient is
nonresponsive, what should you do?
If a patient is religious, what should you Ask if they have a preference.
do?
- High-technology patient care situations
Which three factors can create moral
- Cultural differences with the patient population
distress for a nurse?
- Resource pressures when providing patient care.
- Keep tubes connected
If a patient dies and there is an order for an
- Let family participate in postmortem care
autopsy, what do you do?
- Tag big toe
What test will be run before discharging HbAc
DKA patient?
What A1ACH is good for a diabetic patient? 7