Change, Loss, and Grief
A client learns of the death of a family member. Which manifestation of grief should the nurse expect in this client?
Crying
Death is defined as what?
The absence of brain activity
Focuses on symptoms that cause the person distress and adequately treating those symptoms
Comfort care
What is more comforting than “pushing” food or fluids?
Providing oral hygiene
Moistening lips and mouth
When is an autopsy needed?
When a death is unanticipated, suddenly/unexpected, suspicious (suicide/murder), injury (overdose, fall, vehicle accident ect.)
What is a psychological response to grief?
Anger
Name three rights of the dying patient
Ant three found in book:
EX.
• Have pain controlled
• Cleanliness and comfort
• Maintain a sense of hope, whatever its focus
What does a truly compassionate nurse do?
Studies and learns about pain management and applies those principles in daily practice
What happens to the urine of a person facing impeding death?
Output decrease and becomes more concentrated
What is done to the body prior to an autopsy?
Any tubes that were in place should NOT be removed. (follow facility policy)
Name the five indicators of grief and when do they peak?
Denial, yearning, anger, depression, and acceptance.
They peak within 6 months after the loss
Arrange Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's stages of coping with death in the correct sequence.
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
What is the first step to master the skill of therapeutic communication?
Begin by becoming comfortable with your own beliefs, values, and attitudes about death and dying
What is Cheyne Stokes respirations called and what is followed by?
Respirations that gradually become shallower
Followed by apnea
What is rigor mortis and what is it caused by?
Stiffness of body after death. Caused because aerobic metabolism ceases when respirations stop.
Defined by the person experiencing the loss and is less obvious to other people.
Perceived loss
The goal is to reduce or relieve the symptoms of a disease without attempting to provide care.
Palliative care
When discussing end of life care with a patient, what is most important to remember?
At no time should the patient be pushed to discuss something he is obviously avoiding.
_ is believed to be one of the last senses to be lost before death.
Hearing
What types of deaths are reported to the coroner?
Death within 24 hours after admission or during surgery
Death of a person who has not been under a physician’s care
A client who is extremely distraught after losing her spouse of 45 years is sobbing with her head in her hands. The client says, open double quote "I don't want to go sit with a bunch of other old widows; I want to sit with Harold" Based on this client's assessment findings, which collaborative therapy should the nurse recommend?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Important difference between palliative care and hospice.
The concept of palliative care is not exclusive to the end-of-life care; it is used in a variety of practice areas when the focus of care needs to switch from the curative focus to the focus on quality of life
Name at least 3 opioids that can be used in patients with renal impairment.
Morphine
Hydrocodone
Oxycodone
Methadone
Fentanyl
Why is active euthanasia different from assisted suicide?
Assisted suicide is making available to patients the means to and their life (such as weapon or drug)
Active euthanasia is defined as administering drug or treatment to end the patient’s life.
What do you do if the eyes were to be donated?
Place ice packs on each eye.