An older client was admitted to hospice owing to impending death in approximately 6 weeks. After 2 months, the family remains at the bedside but is becoming increasingly impatient and irritable. What is the best nursing intervention?
a. Ask the family to leave and not return un-til they are calmer.
b. Sit with the family and listen to their con-cerns and fears.
c. Tell the family members not to worry, the client will die soon.
d. Consult the chaplain to come and pray with the client's family.
B
Death cannot be accurately predicted. The nurse should sit with the family and listen to their concerns. The nurse should not provide false hope or reassurance. Family members should remain with the client as long as they would like. The chaplain should be consulted if the family requests.
You might also like to view...
The nurse caring for a patient recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder knows that which physiological disturbance is thought to result in pathologic anxiety?
1. Increased pituitary response 2. Increased cortisol production 3. Decreased epinephrine response 4. Increased limbic system response
The nurse, using the Food Guide Pyramid, should instruct an adult client to:
a. choose butter and lard for most of the client's fat sources. b. consume fruit juices. c. consume whole milk products. d. eat more dark green and orange vegetables.
A client has received an overdose of a benzodiazepine. What medication does the nurse anticipate an order for?
a. Flumazenil (Romazicon) b. Naloxone (Narcan) c. Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) d. Digoxin immune fab (Digibind)
Which is true of examination of the olfactory nerve?
A) It is not tested for laterality. B) The smell must be identified to declare a normal response. C) Abnormal responses may be seen in otherwise normal elderly. D) Allergies are unrelated to testing of this nerve.