Nokea
In the past three to four decades, nursing has moved into the forefront in providing care for the dying. Which phenomenon has most contributed to this increased focus of care of the dying?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Demographic changes in the population. This is because as the population ages, there is a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses and an increased number of people facing end-of-life care needs. This has led to a greater demand for palliative and hospice care services, shifting the focus of nursing towards providing care for the dying.
A: Increased incidence of infections and acute illnesses is not the primary factor contributing to the increased focus on care for the dying. While these conditions do require nursing care, they do not directly explain the shift in focus.
B: Increased focus of health care providers on disease prevention is important but does not directly explain the increased attention on care for the dying. Disease prevention aims to reduce the incidence of illnesses, not necessarily address end-of-life care needs.
C: Larger numbers of people dying in hospital settings may be a consequence of the increased focus on care for the dying, but it is not the underlying phenomenon driving the shift in nursing care towards end-of