The client is a very thin, emaciated 86-year-old who reports the new onset of shortness of breath. A chest x-ray reveals a spot on the lungs that the physician believes is an inoperable lung cancer
The client's emaciated status would exclude the option of chemotherapy, and the physician says the location of the cancer would make radiation therapy unsuccessful. In advocating for this client, the nurse would encourage the health care team to: 1. Perform any procedure necessary to diagnose this suspected cancer.
2. Promote the use of noninvasive procedures to diagnose the suspected cancer.
3. Provide palliative care to treat the signs and symptoms without diagnostic testing.
4. Determine the client and family's wishes regarding diagnostic testing.
4. Determine the client and family's wishes regarding diagnostic testing.
Rationale:
An elderly emaciated client with few options for treatment of cancer if confirmed may be best treated palliatively, but it is the choice of the client and family that should direct the plan of care and choices of diagnostic testing.
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The Department of Health and Human Services is a highly versatile agency that has a myriad of responsibilities. The agencies that constitute the branches of the Department of Health and Human Services each provide a multitude of services
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