You are caring for a patient in the ICU who is suffering from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). What should your plan of care focus on?
A) Encouraging the family to stay hopeful and educating the family to the fact that, in most cases, the prognosis is good
B) Encouraging the family to leave the hospital and to take time for themselves as care of MODS patients may last for years
C) Promoting communication with the patient and family along with addressing end-of-life issues
D) Discussing organ donation on a number of different occasions to allow the family time to adjust to the idea
Ans: C
Feedback: Promoting communication with the patient and family is a critical role of the nurse with a patient in progressive shock. It is also important that the health care team address end-of-life decisions to ensure that supportive therapies are congruent with the patient's wishes. Option A is incorrect; most cases of MODS result in death. Option B is incorrect; encouraging the family to leave the hospital and to take time for themselves does allow time for the family to grieve and make plans, but the life expectancy of patients with MODS is usually measured in hours and possibly days, but not in years. Option D is incorrect; discussing organ donation should be offered as an option on one occasion, and then allow the family time to discuss and return to the health care providers with an answer following the death of the patient.
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