The nurse is providing care for a client with terminal breast cancer. The client's children ask if their mother will exhibit any signs and symptoms prior to death. When responding to the family, which statements regarding the expected clinical manifestations of impending death will the nurse include?

Question

1. "Your mother's jaw may sag.".
2. "Your mother may have difficulty speaking.".
3. "Your mother may have trouble swallowing.".
4. "Your mother may feel hot to the touch.".
5. "Your mother may begin to breathe only through her nose.".

Answer 1

1, 2, 3
Rationale 1: Clinical manifestations that occur prior to death include relaxation of the facial muscles, which can cause the jaw to sag.
Rationale 2: Clinical manifestations that occur prior to death include difficulty speaking.
Rationale 3: Clinical manifestations that occur prior to death include trouble swallowing.
Rationale 4: Prior to death, the skin feels cool to the touch, not warm.
Rationale 5: Clients often become mouth breathers prior to death, not nose breathers.
Global Rationale: Clinical manifestations that occur prior to death include relaxation of the facial muscles, which can cause the jaw to sag; difficulty speaking; and trouble swallowing. Prior to death, the skin feels cool to the touch, not warm, and clients often become mouth breathers prior to death, not nose breathers.