The Dying Process & Assessment
This term describes decreased urine output as kidney perfusion declines near death.
What is oliguria?
This position helps improve breathing and decrease dyspnea in a dying client.
What is elevating the head of the bed?
This is the most reliable indicator of a client's pain level.
What is the client's self-report?
This type of care focuses on comfort and quality of life for clients with serious illness.
What is palliative care?
This is the nurse's priority goal when caring for a dying client.
What is maintaining comfort and dignity?
These skin changes commonly occur as circulation decreases near death.
What are cool, mottled, and cyanotic extremities?
These are two nursing interventions used to relieve dry mouth at the end of life.
What are frequent oral care and moist swabs?
This medication class is commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain at the end of life.
What are opioids?
This type of care is intended for clients with an incurable disease who have a prognosis of six months or less.
What is hospice care?
This type of grief occurs when family members begin grieving before their loved one dies.
What is anticipatory grief?
This abnormal breathing pattern involves periods of apnea alternating with periods of rapid or deep breathing.
What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
This medication is commonly used in low doses to relieve air hunger and dyspnea at the end of life.
What is morphine?
These are the two types of analgesic dosing used for persistent pain and breakthrough pain.
What are scheduled (around-the-clock) and PRN medications?
This legal document outlines a client's wishes regarding future medical treatment if they become unable to communicate.
What is a living will?
These are two appropriate nursing interventions to support grieving family members.
What are active listening and allowing expression of feelings?
This respiratory sound occurs when secretions pool in the airway of a dying client.
What is the death rattle?
A client develops terminal secretions, commonly called the death rattle. These are two appropriate nursing interventions.
What are side-lying positioning and gentle oral suctioning?
This assessment finding may appear before respiratory depression in a client receiving opioids.
What is decreased level of consciousness or increased sedation?
A client has a DNR order and experiences cardiac arrest. This is what the nurse should do regarding CPR and other care.
What is withhold CPR but continue all other appropriate care?
After a client dies, the nurse should perform these actions before preparing the body for transfer.
What are provide privacy, honor cultural or religious wishes, close the eyes and mouth, and replace dentures if possible?
A dying client becomes unresponsive and has periods of apnea. The family asks whether they should continue talking to the client. This is the nurse's best response.
What is yes, because hearing is thought to be the last sense lost?
A dying client becomes restless and confused. Before administering haloperidol, the nurse should assess for these four possible causes.
What are pain, a full bladder, hypoxia, and constipation?
A client receiving IV morphine develops respiratory depression. This medication reverses opioid effects, but should be given slowly at end of life to avoid completely reversing pain relief.
What is naloxone?
A client with a terminal illness chooses comfort care instead of aggressive treatment. The family believes hospice means giving up hope. This is how the nurse should respond.
What is... explain that hospice focuses on comfort, pain relief, dignity, and quality of life rather than hastening death?
A client dies, and the family requests time for religious rituals before the body is prepared. This is the nurse's priority action.
What is respect the family's cultural and religious wishes and allow time for rituals, following facility policy?