The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with cancer of the liver. The nurse reviews the care plan for the patient and learns the plan of care focuses on palliative measures

Question

The nurse also notes that over the last 3 weeks, the patient's condition has continued to deteriorate and the nurse recognizes what?
A) Death will occur in the next week.
B) The patient is in the trajectory phase of chronic illness.
C) The patient is in the downward phase of chronic illness and should be reassessed.
D) The patient should immediately be admitted into the hospital.

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback: The downward phase occurs when symptoms of chronic illness worsen despite attempts to control the course through proper regimen management. A downward turn does not necessarily lead to death. A downward trend can be arrested and the trajectory reestablished at any point depending on the condition and the treatment. A patient who is palliative may not desire hospitalization and aggressive treatment.