A Terminal Patient in a Skilled Nursing Home Has Stated

Multiple Choice

A terminal patient in a skilled nursing home has stated that he does not want to get out of bed, because he is too tired and weak to sit in a chair. He sleeps on and off all day and night, his position is changed every 2 hours, and he is comfortable on his pain regimen. The next day the nurse will:

A) assess his strength and desire to get out of bed, but permit him to remain in bed if he chooses, because that is his position of comfort.
B) encourage him to sit in the chair for an hour, because it is important to change his activity or he will get weaker from inactivity.
C) leave him in bed if he wishes, but have him do active exercises of his legs and arms to prevent further muscle weakness.
D) get him out of bed for an hour in the morning and afternoon and for a short time (15 minutes) before bedtime so that he does not sleep all day and stay awake at night.