Exam 11: Care at the End of Life

The health status of an older patient with liver disease is rapidly deteriorating. There is no documentation on the medical record regarding the patient's care wishes. What should the nurse do to ensure the patient receives care that is desired at the end of life?

An older patient is not breathing well and has cold, mottled skin. The patient has a living will and requests comfort measures only. What should the nurse do to care for this patient?

An older patient experiencing cancer pain is prescribed intravenous pain medication. What actions will the nurse take when administering this medication? Select all that apply.

An older patient with terminal cancer is considering hospice care but is concerned that Medicare will stop payments if the care is provided for longer than 6 months. What can the nurse respond to this patient? Select all that apply.

An older patient who is dying is unable to fully close the eyes. What can the nurse do to protect the patient's eyes from irritation?

A patient with terminal cancer is experiencing the denial phase of grieving. Which statement by the patient best reflects this stage?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is terminally ill and can no longer speak. Which best indicates that this patient is in pain?

The nurse is caring for an older patient who is terminally ill and in the end stages of life. Which actions by the patient would the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.

The home care nurse is performing wound care on a newly widowed patient whose adult daughter died six months ago. Which statement by the patient is most concerning to the nurse?

An older patient dying from a terminal illness reports that the last dose of pain medication provided barely reduced the level of pain. What should the nurse do to help this patient?

While providing postmortem care to a patient who has died the patient elicits a respiratory sound when turned. What should the nurse do?

The family of an older patient dying of liver cancer is concerned that the patient will not eat or drink. The patient is alert and oriented, and expresses no desire to eat. What nursing action would be best?

An older patient with heart and end-stage renal failure is hearing things and seeing things that others do not. How does the nurse best describe this finding?

An older patient who is dying has complained of ongoing pain for several days. What is the best way for this patient's pain to be treated at the end of life?

The family of an older patient who is terminally ill wants to know if the patient can have a massage to help with the pain. How should the nurse respond to the family? Select all that apply.

Hospice care has been ordered in the home for an older patient who is terminally ill. What is the hospice nurse's priority assessment?

A new nurse is caring for an older patient who is nearing death. What is the nurse's best action before caring for this patient?

The nurse is planning oral hygiene for an older patient with a terminal illness who has an intact swallowing reflex. Which interventions would be appropriate for this patient? Select all that apply.

The family of an older patient with a terminal illness has been aware of the patient's pending death and is present when the patient dies. The family's reaction to the patient's death was very emotional and demonstrated a state of disbelief. How should the nurse interpret this family's behavior?

An older patient with terminal cancer asks the nurse to explain palliative care. How should the nurse respond to this patient? Select all that apply.