Chapter 6 Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues in Critical Care

Chapter 6  Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues in Critical Care

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1.
A nurse is working with a patient who is near death and experiencing delirium. Which of the following would be an appropriate course of action for this nurse to take in caring for this patient? Select all that apply.
A)
Instruct the patient in pursed-lip breathing.
B)
Provide oxygen support for the patient.
C)
Arrange supportive psychotherapy.
D)
Give the patient benzodiazepines.
E)
Give the patient neuroleptics.

2.
The husband of a terminally ill patient is upset at the sight of his wife continuing to linger on the brink of death. He has heard of end-of-life sedation and wonders whether it would be appropriate for his wife. Which of the following should the nurse mention as criteria for use of end-of-life sedation? Select all that apply.
A)
The patient is experiencing unbearable and unmanageable pain.
B)
The patient is only hours or days away from death.
C)
The patient has requested it.
D)
It is standard procedure for patients with a terminal illness.

3.
A patient in the ICU has entered a coma state, and someone must make a decision about whether to continue life-supporting measures for the patient. No living will exists for this patient. Who is the person legally authorized to make this decision?
A)
The patient’s wife, who is the executor of his estate
B)
The patient’s brother, who is his designated health care proxy
C)
The patient’s physician, who has been managing his care from admittance
D)
The patient’s nurse, who has been assigned to him on a daily basis

4.
The mother of a patient has requested that she and the rest of the family be allowed to be present in the patient’s room in the event that the patient requires resuscitation. The nurse, however, is reluctant to comply with this. What is the most likely reason she does not want the family in the room during resuscitation?
A)
Family members who are present during resuscitations may experience more anxiety.
B)
Family members present during resuscitation are more likely to sue.
C)
The nurse is new and is not comfortable with having the family present.
D)
A dedicated staff person is required to attend to the family during resuscitation.

5.
A teenage boy is near death in the ICU after being involved in a severe car accident. His mother and stepfather are in his room visiting him now. His father and stepmother have arrived in the waiting room and are asking to see the patient. A few days ago, the nurse observed the boy’s father and mother arguing loudly in the patient’s room. She has also observed that the boy’s muscles tighten and his breathing and heart rate increase when his father is near his bed. Which of the following would be the best action for the nurse to take?
A)
Ask the father and stepmother to wait until the current visitors have left.
B)
Ask the mother and stepfather to leave so that the father and stepmother can visit.
C)
Allow the father and stepmother to go into the patient’s room but accompany them.
D)
Tell the father and stepmother that they are not allowed to visit the patient.

Answer Key

1.
D, E
2.
A, B
3.
B
4.
C
5.
A