The nurse in the intensive care unit is caring for a patient suffering from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The nurse's plan of care should focus on:
A) Encouraging the family to stay hopeful and educating the family to the fact that, in most cases, the prognosis is good
B) Encouraging the family to leave the hospital and to take time for themselves as care of the MODS patient may last for years
C) Promoting communication with the patient and family along with addressing end-of-life issues
D) Discussing organ donation on a number of different occasions to allow the family time to adjust to the idea
Ans: C
Feedback: Promoting communication with the patient and family is a critical role of the nurse with a patient in progressive shock. It is also important that the health care team address end-of-life decisions to ensure that supportive therapies are congruent with the patient's wishes. Option A is incorrect; most cases of MODS result in death. Option B is incorrect; encouraging the family to leave the hospital and to take time for themselves does allow time for the family to grieve and make plans, but the MODS patient's life expectancy is usually measured in hours and possibly days but not years. Option D is incorrect; discussing organ donation should be offered as an option on one occasion only, allowing the family time to discuss it and return to the health care providers with an answer following the death of the patient.
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