The family of a patient with terminal metastatic cancer asks the nurse for guidelines regarding when to call for help when the patient is discharged to home

Question

What guidelines should the nurse instruct this family that indicates the patient needs medical intervention?

Select all that apply.
1. oral temperature greater than 100° F
2. difficulty breathing
3. onset of bleeding
4. resting comfortably, and reading
5. extreme hunger

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2,3,5

The nurse should instruct the patient and family to call the physician or nurse for help with any of the following signs or symptoms: an oral temperature greater than 101.5° F (38.6°C); severe headache; significant increase in pain at usual site, especially if the pain is not relieved by the medication regimen; severe pain at a new site; difficulty breathing; new bleeding from any site, such as rectal or vaginal bleeding; confusion, irritability, or restlessness; withdrawal; greatly decreased activity level; frequent crying; verbalizations of deep sadness or a desire to end life; changes in body functioning, such as the inability to void or severe diarrhea or constipation; changes in eating patterns, such as refusal to eat, extreme hunger, or a significant increase in nausea and vomiting; and appearance of edema in the extremities or significant increase in edema already present.