A nurse is planning care for a client who is 6 hr. postoperative following a right knee arthroplasty. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

Choice A Reason:

The client wanting to talk about the diagnosis with nursing staff indicates a desire for communication and support, which may be an expression of hope or a way to cope with the diagnosis.

Choice B Reason:

Requesting a second opinion suggests that the client is actively seeking more information and exploring potential treatment options, which is not indicative of hopelessness.

Choice C Reason:

Having a decreased energy level can be a common physical and emotional response to a terminal illness but does not directly indicate hopelessness on its own. It may reflect the physical and emotional toll of the diagnosis and its treatment.

Choice D Reason:

The client makes funeral arrangements is correct. Making funeral arrangements is often seen as an indication of hopelessness in the context of a recent terminal illness diagnosis. It suggests that the client has accepted the inevitability of their death and is preparing for it. While making arrangements can be a practical and important step, it may also indicate a sense of hopelessness or resignation.

Verify that the provider has certified the client's death: Before any postmortem care is initiated, it's crucial to confirm that the client has indeed passed away. This verification is typically done by a healthcare provider, such as a physician or nurse practitioner, who examines the client, checks for signs of life, and makes an official declaration of death.

Determine the family's preferences about care of the body: After the client's death has been certified, the healthcare team should communicate with the family or next of kin to inquire about their preferences regarding the care of the deceased. Families may have specific cultural, religious, or personal requests regarding postmortem care procedures, and it's essential to respect and accommodate these preferences whenever possible.

Remove all equipment and tubes from the client's body: This step involves the removal of any medical equipment, devices, or tubes that may have been in use during the client's medical care. This can include items such as intravenous (IV) lines, catheters, ventilator tubing, and monitoring equipment. Ensuring that all equipment is removed is not only a matter of dignity but also helps prepare the body for viewing by the family, if desired.

Apply identifying name tags onto the client .To maintain accurate identification and tracking of the deceased client, it's common practice to attach identifying name tags or labels to the body. These tags typically contain essential information, such as the client's name, medical record number, and date of birth. This step helps prevent any confusion or mix-up of identities during postmortem procedures and transport.