A nurse is planning care for a client who has terminal cancer and is nearing the end of life. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
Place the client in a supine position.
Remind the client to eat scheduled meals daily.
Speak in a loud tone when addressing the client.
Offer the client a blanket to keep warm.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Place the client in a supine position: The supine position may impair respiratory function and increase discomfort, especially in terminal clients who may experience dyspnea. A semi-Fowler’s or side-lying position is often preferred for comfort and easier breathing.
B. Remind the client to eat scheduled meals daily: For clients nearing end of life, appetite naturally decreases, and forcing meals can cause distress. Care should focus on comfort, allowing the client to eat only if and when they desire rather than adhering to structured meal times.
C. Speak in a loud tone when addressing the client: Loud speech is not appropriate unless the client has documented hearing impairment. A calm, soft tone is more comforting and respectful, especially in the emotionally sensitive context of end-of-life care.
D. Offer the client a blanket to keep warm: Clients nearing the end of life often experience poor circulation and may feel cold. Providing a blanket is a comfort-focused, non-invasive intervention that promotes warmth and dignity during this phase.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. "Have your child lie down and turn their head to the side for 10 minutes." Lying down increases blood flow to the head, which can worsen the nosebleed or cause aspiration if blood is swallowed. Upright posture is preferred to reduce venous pressure in nasal vessels.
B. "Place a warm, wet washcloth over your child's forehead and the bridge of their nose." Warm compresses can dilate blood vessels and worsen bleeding. Cold compresses are more appropriate to constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow.
C. "Tell your child to blow their nose gently and then sit down and put their head backward." Blowing the nose can dislodge clots and worsen bleeding. Tilting the head back can cause blood to run down the throat, increasing the risk of nausea, vomiting, or aspiration.
D. "Use your thumb and forefinger to apply pressure to the sides of your child's nose."
Pinching the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes while the child leans slightly forward is the first-line intervention for epistaxis. This reduces bleeding and prevents aspiration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Arrange for an ethics committee meeting to address the family's concerns: An ethics committee helps resolve conflicts between families and healthcare teams while respecting patient autonomy and legal directives. This step promotes ethical decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration.
B. Support the family's decision and initiate life-sustaining measures: Providing treatments against the client’s documented wishes violates ethical and legal standards. Advance directives must be honored, even when family members disagree.
C. Complete an incident report: An incident report is used to document errors or adverse events, not ethical conflicts. This situation requires ethical consultation and communication, not a formal incident report.
D. Encourage the family to contact an attorney: While families may seek legal counsel, it is not the nurse’s role to suggest legal action. This may escalate the conflict unnecessarily and delay proper ethical resolution.
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