The family of the patient receiving hospice care is at the bedside expecting an imminent death. They become upset when the patient suddenly becomes restless and disoriented. Which should the nurse implement as the patient advocate?
a. Apply oxygen with a face mask.
b. Ask the family to leave the room.
c. Speak to the patient calmly and softly.
d. Administer extra pain medication.
C
Restlessness and agitation are common patient assessments as death approaches and are part of the body's preparation for death. The nurse explains that the upsetting behavior occurs frequently in the dying process and provides actions for the family to implement. For restlessness and agita-tion, the family can massage the hands or feet or play soothing music. Oxygen by face mask can increase patient distress and impair any ability to communicate. The nurse avoids asking the family to leave the room. The nurse explains that the patient's behavior is very common, reflec-tive more of the dying process than actual distress. The nurse administers pain medication ac-cording to the prescription.
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A patient drifts off to sleep when she is not being stimulated. The nurse can easily arouse her by calling her name, but the patient remains drowsy during the conversation. The best description of this patient's level of consciousness would be:
a. Lethargic b. Obtunded c. Stuporous d. Semialert
The nurse in the clinic is caring for a patient who has seasonal rhinitis and the patient wants to know what causes this to occur. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You are experiencing symptoms because bacteria have entered the nose and caused an infection." B) "Your upper airways are experiencing an inflammatory response to an inhaled antigen that is causing you to have sneezing and watery eyes." C) "Your sympathetic nervous system is responding to an acute amount of stress in your life causing you to have nasal congestion." D) "Your runny nose and sneezing have occurred because a portion of your lung has collapsed."
After several therapeutic encounters with a patient who recently attempted suicide, which behavior should cause the nurse to consider the possibility of countertransference?
a. The patient's reactions toward the nurse seem realistic and appropriate. b. The nurse feels very happy when the patient's mood begins to lift. c. The patient states, "Talking to you is like talking to my parents." d. The nurse develops a trusting relationship with the patient.
Ethical perspectives discussed in this chapter are (choose two):
a. Ethical relativism b. Bioethical studies c. Ethical objectivism d. Moral reasoning