Nokea
Patients who are enrolled in hospice care through Medicare are often felt to suffer unnecessarily because they do not receive adequate attention for their symptoms of the underlying illness. What factor most contributes to this phenomenon?
- A. Unwillingness to overmedicate the dying patient
- B. Rules concerning completion of all cure-focused medical treatment
- C. Unwillingness of patients and families to acknowledge the patient is terminal
- D. Lack of knowledge of patients and families regarding availability of care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because of Medicare rules concerning completion of all cure-focused medical treatment before the Medicare hospice benefit may be accessed, many patients delay enrollment in hospice programs until very close to the end of life. Hospice care does not include an unwillingness to medicate the patient to keep him or her from suffering. Patients must accept that they are terminal before being admitted to hospice care. Lack of knowledge is common; however, this is not why some Medicare patients do not receive adequate attention for the symptoms of their underlying illness.
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The nurse is assessing a 73-year-old patient who was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. The nurse notes that the patient is exhibiting signs of loss, grief, and intense sadness. Based on this assessment data, the nurse will document that the patient is most likely in what stage of death and dying?
- A. Depression
- B. Denial
- C. Anger
- D. Resignation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Loss, grief, and intense sadness indicate depression. Denial is indicated by the refusal to admit the truth or reality. Anger is indicated by rage and resentment. Acceptance is indicated by a gradual, peaceful withdrawal from life.
A patient on the medical unit is dying and the nurse has determined that the familys psychosocial needs during the dying process need to be addressed. What is a cause of many patient care dilemmas at the end of life?
- A. Poor communication between the family and the care team
- B. Denial of imminent death on the part of the family or the patient
- C. Limited visitation opportunities for friends and family
- D. Conflict between family members
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Many dilemmas in patient care at the end of life are related to poor communication between team members and the patient and family, as well as to failure of team members to communicate with each other effectively. Regardless of the care setting, the nurse can ensure a proactive approach to the psychosocial care of the patient and family. Denial of death may be a response to the situation, but it is not classified as a need. Visitation should accommodate wishes of the family member as long as patient care is not compromised.
You are caring for a patient who has just been told that his illness is progressing and nothing more can be done for him. After the physician leaves, the patient asks you to stay with him for a while. The patient becomes tearful and tries several times to say something, but cannot get the words out. What would be an appropriate response for you to make at this time?
- A. Can I give you some advice?
- B. Do you need more time to think about this?
- C. Is there anything you want to say?
- D. I have cared for lots of patients in your position. It will get easier.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prompt gently: Do you need more time to think about this? Giving advice is inappropriate and it is obvious from the scenario that the patient has something to say. Referring to other patients negates the patients feelings at this time.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has terminal lung cancer and is unconscious. Which assessment finding would most clearly indicate to the nurse that the patients death is imminent?
- A. Mottling of the lower limbs
- B. Slow, steady pulse
- C. Bowel incontinence
- D. Increased swallowing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The time of death is generally preceded by a period of gradual diminishment of bodily functions in which increasing intervals between respirations, weakened and irregular pulse, and skin color changes or mottling may be observed. The patient will not be able to swallow secretions, so suctioning, frequent and gentle mouth care, and, possibly, the administration of a transdermal anticholinergic drug. Bowel incontinence may or may not occur.
A patient has just died following urosepsis that progressed to septic shock. The patients spouse says, I knew this was coming, but I feel so numb and hollow inside. The nurse should know that these statements are characteristic of what?
- A. Complicated grief and mourning
- B. Uncomplicated grief and mourning
- C. Depression stage of dying
- D. Acceptance stage of dying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncomplicated grief and mourning are characterized by emotional feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, and numbness; physical sensations, such as hollowness in the stomach and tightness in the chest, weakness, and lack of energy; cognitions that include preoccupation with the loss and a sense of the deceased as still present; and behaviors such as crying, visiting places that are reminders of the deceased, social withdrawal, and restless overactivity. Complicated grief and mourning occur at a prolonged time after the death. The spouses statement does not clearly suggest depression or acceptance.