A male client in the final stages of terminal cancer tells his nurse that he wishes he could just be allowed to die. The client verbalizes that he is tired of fighting this illness and is only continuing treatments because his family wants him to live. Which action should the nurse take?
Ask the chaplain to discuss death issues with the client.
Notify the family that treatments have been discontinued.
Request a consultation with the hospital social worker.
Arrange a meeting with the family, healthcare provider, and client.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Ask the chaplain to discuss death issues with the client: While spiritual support may be helpful, this does not address the client’s expressed conflict about continuing treatment to satisfy his family’s wishes.
B. Notify the family that treatments have been discontinued: The nurse cannot make the decision to discontinue treatments without the client’s and healthcare provider’s input. This would be outside the nurse’s scope of authority.
C. Request a consultation with the hospital social worker: Although a social worker can help with emotional support and end-of-life planning, the immediate concern is facilitating open communication between the client, family, and healthcare team about the client’s wishes.
D. Arrange a meeting with the family, healthcare provider, and client: This action supports the client’s autonomy and ensures his wishes are heard. It also promotes collaborative decision-making about continuing or stopping treatment, aligning care with the client’s goals and values.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A"}
Explanation
A. Opioid analgesics: The client reports severe, sharp, stabbing pain with breathing and movement due to multiple rib fractures. Opioids are effective for managing moderate to severe pain, allowing the client to breathe deeply, cough effectively, and reduce the risk of complications such as atelectasis or pneumonia.
B. Antibiotics: There is no evidence of infection in this client’s presentation. Antibiotics are not indicated for pain management related to rib fractures or atelectasis without infection.
C. Antacids: Antacids are used to treat gastrointestinal upset or acid-related conditions. They do not address musculoskeletal pain or improve respiratory function in rib fractures.
D. Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators relieve airway constriction in conditions like asthma or COPD. This client’s shallow breathing is due to pain, not bronchospasm, so bronchodilators are not appropriate.
E. Antihypertensives: While the client has slightly elevated blood pressure, antihypertensives do not relieve pain or improve respiratory effort, making them irrelevant for the acute management of rib fracture–related symptoms.
Correct Answer is ["A","E","F"]
Explanation
Rationale for Correct Choices:
- The client reports he was able to sleep through the night: Adequate rest indicates improved comfort and effective pain management postoperatively.
- The left arm is warm to touch: Warmth confirms adequate circulation and tissue perfusion following surgery.
- The client's left shoulder and collarbone are symmetric: Symmetry suggests proper surgical alignment and absence of acute displacement or swelling.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices:
- Continued numbness in the left arm, tingling, and inability to move fingers: These findings raise concern for possible neurovascular compromise or prolonged effects of the nerve block.
- Mild nausea and lack of desire to eat breakfast: This can be a transient side effect of anesthesia or analgesics but requires monitoring for persistence.
- A 3 cm × 5 cm area of blood noted on the bandage: Postoperative dressings should have minimal drainage, so this amount of blood warrants assessment for active bleeding or hematoma formation.
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