How should the nurse respond when the son of an end-stage cancer patient tells the nurse that his "dad is refusing to eat" and he fears that his father has "given up hope"?
A) Make suggestions of foods that his father might find palatable.
B) Have the son complete a 24-hour food diary of what his father eats.
C) Explain that this is normal and that his father is comfortable.
D) Call the physician and request a nutrition consult.
C) Explain that this is normal and that his father is comfortable.
Explanation: A) Family members may feel that they are failing or abandoning the patient by not feeding him. It is helpful to inform them that decreased intake of foods and fluids can lead to ketosis and subsequent release of endorphins that contribute to an enhanced sense of well-being and diminished discomfort. Family members can be assisted in redirecting their expression of care and concern away from food to other measures that provide comfort to the patient.
B) Family members may feel that they are failing or abandoning the patient by not feeding him. It is helpful to inform them that decreased intake of foods and fluids can lead to ketosis and subsequent release of endorphins that contribute to an enhanced sense of well-being and diminished discomfort. Family members can be assisted in redirecting their expression of care and concern away from food to other measures that provide comfort to the patient.
C) Family members may feel that they are failing or abandoning the patient by not feeding him. It is helpful to inform them that decreased intake of foods and fluids can lead to ketosis and subsequent release of endorphins that contribute to an enhanced sense of well-being and diminished discomfort. Family members can be assisted in redirecting their expression of care and concern away from food to other measures that provide comfort to the patient.
D) Family members may feel that they are failing or abandoning the patient by not feeding him. It is helpful to inform them that decreased intake of foods and fluids can lead to ketosis and subsequent release of endorphins that contribute to an enhanced sense of well-being and diminished discomfort. Family members can be assisted in redirecting their expression of care and concern away from food to other measures that provide comfort to the patient.
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