A hospice client is clearly dehydrated and the family is arguing over whether or not the client should receive intravenous fluids. The nurse would guide this discussion based on what know-ledge about dehydration in the terminally ill client?
a. If the terminally ill client complains of thirst, he/she is dehydrated.
b. Peripheral edema in the terminally ill client indicates fluid overload.
c. The emphasis of all treatments should be on comfort and reduction of symptoms.
d. The only choices for hydration are oral and intravenous.
C
This is an area of controversy in hospice care and arguments can be made on both sides of the topic. Thirst may be a side effect of medications. Peripheral edema may be an indicator of the pathologic process. Clients can be hydrated via hypodermoclysis, which is subcutaneous admin-istration of fluids. Families and clients need much information to make decisions regarding hy-dration, but in hospice, all interventions should be directed towards comfort and symptom reduc-tion.
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The vitamin that maintains healthy bones and teeth is ________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).