The hospice nurse is caring for a dying client and her family members. What nursing interventions are appropriate to use? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Teach family members about physical signs of impending death.
b. Encourage the management of adverse symptoms.
c. Assist family members by offering an ex-planation for their loss.
d. Encourage reminiscence by both client and family members.
e. Avoid spirituality because the client's and the nurse's beliefs may not be congruent.
f. Do not encourage hope for the terminally ill client.

Answer 1

A, B, D
The nurse should teach family members about the physical signs of death, because family mem-bers often become upset when they see physiologic changes in their loved one. Palliative care includes management of symptoms so that the peaceful death of the client is facilitated. Remi-niscence will help both the client and family members cope with the dying process. The nurse is not expected to explain why this is happening to the family's loved one. The nurse can encourage spirituality if the client is agreeable, regardless of whether her religion is the same.