A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and is in the active phase of dying. The client refuses further hydration and nourishment. What action should the nurse take?
Ask the client's healthcare surrogate for permission to withhold nourishment.
Request a prescription for IV fluids.
Explain the importance of oral hydration to the client.
Provide regular oral care for the client with a moist swab.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Provide regular oral care for the client with a moist swab. When a client with a terminal illness and in the active phase of dying refuses further hydration and nourishment, the nurse should provide comfort measures such as regular oral care to prevent discomfort. The nurse should not force the client to eat or drink or request a prescription for IV fluids. The healthcare surrogate cannot be asked for permission to withhold nourishment as the client has the right to refuse nourishment.
Option A - The client has the right to refuse nourishment, and healthcare surrogate permission is not required.
Option B - Requesting a prescription for IV fluids is not an appropriate intervention as the client has the right to refuse nourishment.
Option C - Explaining the importance of oral hydration to the client is not an appropriate intervention as the client has the right to refuse nourishment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Requires nasogastric suction.
Nasogastric suction removes gastric secretions that contain potassium, leading to a loss of potassium from the body.
This can cause hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood.
Choice A is wrong because Addison’s disease causes hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood.
Choice B is wrong because tissue damage can release potassium from the cells into the blood, causing hyperkalemia.
Choice C is wrong because uric acid level is not related to potassium level.
Uric acid is a waste product of purine metabolism that can cause gout or kidney stones if elevated.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Apply foam handles to the client's eating utensils. This intervention can help the client grip the utensils better and improve their ability to eat.
Reasons why the other options are not answers:
Option A: Having an assistive personnel feed the client may decrease the client's autonomy.
Option C: Obtaining a referral for physical therapy may be helpful but does not address the immediate issue of difficulty with eating.
Option D: Asking the provider for a prescription for a pureed diet may not be necessary or desirable at this time.
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