The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who appears to be calmly having a conversation with someone even though there is nobody else in the room
The patient reaches out and appears to take something out of thin air and hold it close. Which is the appropriate action of the nurse?
a.
Reorient the patient and reassure that nobody else is in the room.
b.
Be present but quiet and let the patient continue the conversation.
c.
Carefully assess the patient's mental status and level of attention.
d.
Obtain a set of vital signs and check the patient's pulse oximetry.
ANS: B
Patients who are near death sometimes have a special communication with loved ones who have already died. As long as the patient is calm and content, the best action of the nurse is to be present but let the patient continue the conversation undisturbed.
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