An experienced hospice nurse is training a new nurse in the practices of palliative care. What statement by the new nurse indicates understanding about drug therapy for end-of-life care?
a. "I can administer as much pain medication as I want because the client is dying."
b. "The administration of these medications will hasten the client's death."
c. "I can administer medication per the pro-tocol to relieve the client's symptoms."
d. "The purpose of palliative sedation is to relieve family members' distress."
C
Palliative care nurses follow protocols when administering medications. These protocols are standing prescriptions from the provider that identify the appropriate medication, dose, and situ-ation for administration. The nurse cannot administer more than is prescribed. The medications are given to promote comfort and if administered per protocol will not hasten death.
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