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 ["1000"]
Explanation
To calculate the number of calories the client should reduce their daily intake by to lose 0.9 kg (2 lb) of body fat per week , we can use the following formula: (0.9 kg/week) x (1 lb/0.45 kg) x (3500 calories/1 lb) = 7,000 calories/week To find the daily calorie reduction, divide 7,000 by 7 days: 7,000 calories/7 days = 1,000 calories/day Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client to reduce their daily caloric intake by 1,000 calories. Answer: 1000
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is: D.
Choice A reason: Asking a patient to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10 is a common method to assess the intensity of pain, not the quality. Zero indicates no pain, and ten represents the most severe pain imaginable. This scale is quantitative and helps in tracking the effectiveness of pain management over time.
Choice B reason: Inquiring if the pain is the same as it has been is a question that assesses the consistency or changes in the patient’s pain over time. It does not provide information about the quality of the pain but rather its course or any variations in the experience of pain.
Choice C reason: Asking whether the patient has any pain this morning is a question that determines the presence or absence of pain at a particular time. It does not elicit details about the nature or characteristics of the pain, which are essential to understanding its quality.
Choice D reason: Asking “What does your pain feel like?” is a qualitative question that aims to describe the characteristics of the pain, such as aching, stabbing, or burning. This information is crucial for diagnosing the cause of pain and tailoring appropriate treatment strategies. It directly addresses the quality of the pain, which is the focus of the nurse’s inquiry.
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