A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and is in the active phase of dying. The client refuses further hydration and nourishment. What action should the nurse take?
Ask the client's healthcare surrogate for permission to withhold nourishment.
Request a prescription for IV fluids.
Explain the importance of oral hydration to the client.
Provide regular oral care for the client with a moist swab.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Provide regular oral care for the client with a moist swab. When a client with a terminal illness and in the active phase of dying refuses further hydration and nourishment, the nurse should provide comfort measures such as regular oral care to prevent discomfort. The nurse should not force the client to eat or drink or request a prescription for IV fluids. The healthcare surrogate cannot be asked for permission to withhold nourishment as the client has the right to refuse nourishment.
Option A - The client has the right to refuse nourishment, and healthcare surrogate permission is not required.
Option B - Requesting a prescription for IV fluids is not an appropriate intervention as the client has the right to refuse nourishment.
Option C - Explaining the importance of oral hydration to the client is not an appropriate intervention as the client has the right to refuse nourishment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should perform neurovascular checks of the affected extremity every 2 hours to monitor for any signs of compartment syndrome or impaired circulation. It is important to assess for the five Ps: pain, pulse, pallor, paresthesia, and paralysis. Using a hair dryer to relieve itching can cause burns and is not a recommended intervention. Positioning the fractured arm below the level of the client's heart can increase swelling and exacerbate pain. Immobilizing the client's fingers using a hand splint is not indicated unless there is a finger fracture or injury.
Choice A (Use a hair dryer to blow hot air into the cast to relieve itching) is not an answer because it can cause burns and is not a recommended intervention.
Choice C (Position the fractured arm below the level of the client's heart) is not an answer because it can increase swelling and exacerbate pain.
Choice D (Immobilize the client's fingers using a hand splint) is not an answer because it is not indicated unless there is a finger fracture or injury.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B, a client who had abdominal surgery 2 days ago and the incision line is separating. This client requires immediate attention as a separating incision can indicate wound dehiscence or evisceration, which are surgical emergencies. Choice A is incorrect because although C. difficile is a serious infection, liquid stools are a common symptom and do not require immediate attention. Choice C is incorrect because intermittent coughing up clear sputum is a normal finding for a client with a tracheostomy, and does not indicate a change in the client's condition. Choice D is incorrect because the client fell 12 hours ago and reports pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10, which indicates a low level of pain.
Choice A: A client who has Clostridium difficile and has liquid stools is incorrect because although C. difficile is a serious infection, liquid stools are a common symptom and do not require immediate attention.
Choice C: A client who has a chronic tracheostomy and is intermittently coughing up clear sputum is incorrect because intermittent coughing up clear sputum is a normal finding for a client with a tracheostomy, and does not indicate a change in the client's condition.
Choice D: A client who fell 12 hours ago and reports pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 is incorrect because the level of pain is low and does not require immediate attention.
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