The hospice nurse is making a home visit to a client with terminal cancer. The client reports poor pain control and the client's spouse says, "I'm giving such big doses of medication, I'm afraid she is going to overdose if I give her more." Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. "You're wise to be concerned. These are very strong medications you're administering."
2. "You want her to be comfortable but you don't want to endanger her life. Let's talk about the medication you're giving and warning signs you'll see if the dosage you're administering is too high."
3. "I hear what you're saying, but you're not giving enough pain medication, so she is in severe pain. You need to give more."
4. "You aren't giving adequate pain relief, and she is in severe pain as a result."
2
Rationale 1: Telling the spouse it is wise to be concerned is untrue.
Rationale 2: It is not unusual for a family caregiver to withhold medication out of fear of overdosing the cancer client. It is important for the nurse to inform the caregiver that his feelings are not unusual, and then provide him with the information he needs to make an informed and appropriate decision that will make the client more comfortable.
Rationale 3: This can make the spouse to feel guilty.
Rationale 4: This can make the spouse to feel guilty.
Global Rationale: It is not unusual for a family caregiver to withhold medication out of fear of overdosing the cancer client. It is important for the nurse to inform the caregiver that his feelings are not unusual, and then provide him with the information he needs to make an informed and appropriate decision that will make the client more comfortable. Telling the spouse it is wise to be concerned is untrue. The nurse should not make the spouse feel guilty for not providing enough pain medication.
You might also like to view...
A group of community leaders is meeting to plan for the upcoming hurricane season. The leader reminds the group that the general intent of disaster preparedness is to:
1. Limit the morbidity and mortality that results from a disaster. 2. Decrease the cost of the disaster to the community. 3. Prepare the community for the impending effects. 4. Increase public awareness of the potential for the disaster.
An organizational chart may include:
a. management responsibilities b. personnel contact information c. job duties and responsibilities d. reporting structure or chain of command
A 65-year-old man presents at the clinic complaining of nodules on both legs
The man tells the nurse that his son, who is in medical school, encouraged him to seek prompt care and told him that the nodules are related to the fact that he is Jewish. What health problem should the nurse suspect? A) Stasis ulcers B) Bullous pemphigoid C) Psoriasis D) Classic Kaposi's sarcoma
The nurse is caring for an infant recovering from surgery for a cleft palate. Which type of restraint would be appropriate for the nurse to use when caring for this infant?
A) Elbow B) Jacket C) Mummy D) Clove hitch