A hospice nurse is planning care for a patient who is near death.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the patient’s plan of care to promote the patient’s comfort?
Turn the patient every 4 hours.
Elevate the head of the patient’s bed.
Offer the patient ice chips.
Provide oral care to the patient every 6 hours.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is Choice B
Choice A rationale: Turning the patient every 4 hours may prevent pressure ulcers, but it can cause discomfort for a near-death patient. Less frequent repositioning might be more suitable for maintaining comfort during the end-of-life stage.
Choice B rationale: Elevating the head of the patient's bed can help ease breathing difficulties by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm and enhancing lung expansion. This position promotes comfort and reduces the work of breathing, which is beneficial for near-death patients.
Choice C rationale: Offering the patient ice chips can provide temporary relief from dry mouth, but it may not be the most effective measure for ensuring comfort. Adequate hydration and regular oral care are generally more beneficial for maintaining patient comfort.
Choice D rationale: Providing oral care every 6 hours might not be frequent enough to ensure comfort. More frequent oral care, such as every 2 hours, helps maintain moisture in the mouth, reduces discomfort, and prevents infections, enhancing the patient's overall comfort
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it’s important to respect a client’s wishes and provide a supportive environment, avoiding the client’s health status may not be beneficial. Open communication about the client’s condition can help in planning and providing appropriate care.
Choice B rationale
Providing quiet time during visits for prayer or meditation can be a valuable part of a care plan for a client with end-stage breast cancer. This can offer spiritual comfort and peace, which can enhance the client’s quality of life.
Choice C rationale
Placing the client’s name and medical condition on an online prayer chain may not be appropriate without the client’s explicit consent due to privacy concerns.
Choice D rationale
Recommending the client seek out hospice services rather than seek treatment may not be the best approach. The decision between pursuing treatment and entering hospice care should be made by the client and their healthcare team.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The statement about only going to the hospital if the client stops breathing is incorrect. Palliative care is not limited to end-of-life care and does not restrict hospital visits to only life- threatening situations. It is a comprehensive approach to treatment that focuses on improving quality of life for patients and their families, addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems.
Choice B rationale
The statement about needing to stop treatments for cancer before beginning palliative care is incorrect. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment and is not dependent on the cessation of other treatments. It is designed to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life at any stage of illness, not just at the end of life.
Choice C rationale
The statement about having about 6 months or less to live if the oncologist recommends palliative care is incorrect. Palliative care is not only for end-of-life situations. It can be introduced at any stage of illness, even at the same time as treatment aimed at curing the disease. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life by providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness.
Choice D rationale
The statement about the purpose of palliative care being to provide comfort measures for cancer is correct. Palliative care aims to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, including advanced-stage lung cancer. It can help manage
symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, problems with sleep, and emotional issues like anxiety and depression.
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