A school nurse is planning safety education for a group of adolescents.
Which of the following topics should the nurse prioritize as the leading cause of death for this age group?

Choice A rationale

Administering oxygen therapy is a specific medical intervention that may not be immediately necessary or appropriate depending on the cause of the symptoms. It would be more appropriate to first establish a triage area to assess the severity of the students’ conditions.

Choice B rationale

Establishing a triage area is the correct immediate action. This allows the nurse to quickly assess the severity of each student’s condition, prioritize care, and determine the appropriate next steps.

Choice C rationale

Notifying the parents of the students might be a subsequent step after assessing the students and determining the cause of the symptoms. However, it should not be the immediate action.

Choice D rationale

Contacting the local health department would be appropriate if there was a suspicion of a public health emergency, such as an outbreak of a communicable disease. However, the immediate action should be to assess the students and provide necessary care.

Choice A rationale

Hospice care is a service for people with serious illnesses who choose not to get (or continue) treatment to cure or control their illness. It aims to provide comfort and peace to help improve the quality of life for the person nearing death. It also helps family members cope with their loved one’s illness and can also provide support to the family after the person dies, including help with grieving, sometimes called bereavement care. Therefore, hospice care does allow families to participate in the client’s care, making this the correct answer.

Choice B rationale

While it is true that hospice services often end when the client dies, this is not the only information that should be included in the teaching about hospice care. Hospice care also provides bereavement support to the family after the person dies. Therefore, stating that hospice services end when the client dies could be misleading and incomplete.

Choice C rationale

This statement is incorrect. Hospice care is not designed to provide life-extending interventions. Instead, it focuses on providing comfort and improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses who choose not to get (or continue) treatment to cure or control their illness.

Choice D rationale

While it is true that many hospice programs are designed for clients who have 9 months or fewer to live, this is not the only criterion for hospice care. The decision to start hospice care can be complex and is based on many factors, including the person’s health status, treatment preferences, and quality of life goals. Therefore, stating that hospice programs are designed for clients who have 9 months or fewer to live could be misleading and incomplete.