A 76-year-old Muslim patient is approaching death. The family says the patient's bed should be turned toward the opposite wall so it can face Mecca to ensure an easier passage into the next life

The wall they want the bed to face has wall suction and oxygen, which the patient is using. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
a. Rearrange the furniture to accommodate the request.
b. Tell them it is impossible because of the short tubing on the oxygen and suction.
c. Get permission from the physician to move the bed.
d. Tell them you will move the bed when the patient is closer to death.


ANS: A
Often, folk practices are not harmful and can be added into the patient's plan of care. There is no reason not to move the patient's bed. Oxygen and suction tubing can have extensions added. There is no reason to involve the physician. There is no way to know the exact time the patient will die, so waiting to move the bed is not appropriate.

Nursing

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