A hospice patient is manifesting a decrease in all body system functions except for a heart rate of 124 and a respiratory rate of 28. Which statement, if made by the nurse to the patient's family member, is most appropriate?
a. "These symptoms will continue to increase until death finally occurs."
b. "These symptoms are a normal response before these functions decrease."
c. "These symptoms indicate a reflex response to the slowing of other body systems."
d. "These symptoms may be associated with an improvement in the patient's condition."
ANS: B
An increase in heart and respiratory rate may occur before the slowing of these functions in the dying patient. Heart and respiratory rate typically slow as the patient progresses further toward death. In a dying patient, high respiratory and pulse rates do not indicate improvement, and it would be inappropriate for the nurse to indicate this to the family. The changes in pulse and respirations are not reflex responses.
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