The family of a dying patient is sitting at the bedside, silently watching the patient slip into a coma. What should the nurse suggest to the family at this time?
a. Count the patient's respirations to know when death is near.
b. Talk to the patient because hearing is the last sense to leave the patient.
c. Stimulate the patient so that the patient is able to engage in conversation.
d. Return home to get some rest because it will be awhile before the patient dies.
ANS: B
The nurse should suggest that the family talk to the patient because hearing is the last sense to leave a person. A. It would be inappropriate to ask the family to count the patient's respirations in order to predict death. C. The patient is slipping into a coma and most likely will not be aroused or able to participate in conversation. D. The nurse has no way to predict the patient's time of death. Sending the family home at this crucial time would be inappropriate.
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