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.
You might also like to view...
According to the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, abortion is legal if induced:
1. At a federally funded clinic. 2. Before the period of viability. 3. To provide tissue for therapeutic research. 4. At a military hospital overseas.
The initial nursing intervention for the assessment of external hemorrhaging is:
1. Close monitoring of the wound dressing for bloody drainage 2. Frequent assessment of the client's blood pressure 3. Monitoring of the client's heart rate 4. Redressing of the wound
Harley is a nursing assistant working on the cardiac unit of an acute care hospital. Which of the following observations about a heart patient should he report to his supervising nurse immediately?
A. The patient ate all of the food on the lunch tray. B. The patient complains of shortness of breath and has an irregular pulse. C. The patient breathes best with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees. D. The patient needs assistance with bathing.
The mother of a child admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) appears very angry and tells the nurse no one is providing information about the child. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
1. Asking the mother to leave if the behavior continues 2. Apologizing for the mother's perception and assure the mother that the staff will keep her informed. 3. Offering to ask the healthcare provider to come and talk with her 4. Telling the mother her behavior will upset the child