While preparing for the discharge of a terminally ill older adult patient, the family asks for information concerning the most appropriate time to become involved with a hospice agency. Which action by the nurse is most correct?
1. Assist the family with making contact with a hospice agency at this time.
2. Determine the patient's life expectancy to gauge when the contact should be made.
3. Encourage the family to "hold off" making the contact until death is very close.
4. Determine what expectations the family has of the hospice agency.
Correct Answer: 1
Hospice agencies provide vital services to patients who are facing death and to their families. Questions concerning available supportive services should be met with facts. Referrals for older patients should be prompt. It is inappropriate to try to determine life expectancy. This is an inaccurate measurement of the degree of services needed. Waiting until the time of death nears does not leave much time for the hospice agency to assist the family. Determining the family's expectations concerning hospice is an inappropriate action for the nurse.
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