Chapter 24: Nutritional Care of the Terminally Ill

Chapter 24: Nutritional Care of the Terminally Ill

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

Which of the following roles is most important in the care of a terminally ill client?
Care provider
Client advocate
Counselor
Teacher

Ans: 2

	Feedback
1.	Although the nurse may function as a care provider, health-care professionals need to address patients’ values, goals of care, and preferences with regard to treatment to truly become patient advocates.
2.	Health-care professionals need to address patients’ values, goals of care, and preferences with regard to treatment to truly become patient advocates.
3.	Although the nurse may function as a counselor, health-care professionals need to address patients’ values, goals of care, and preferences with regard to treatment to truly become patient advocates.
4.	Although the nurse may function as a teacher, health-care professionals need to address patients’ values, goals of care, and preferences with regard to treatment to truly become patient advocates.

KEY: Integrated Process: Caring | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care | Cognitive Level: Comprehension

Ans: 4

	Feedback
1.	Cessation of eating and drinking is a major sign of approaching death.
2.	Cyanosis and difficulty breathing are major signs of approaching death.
3.	Muscle weakness is a major sign of approaching death.
4.	Oliguria and incontinence are major signs of approaching death.{ED/AU: should this be NOT major signs? This doesn’t seem to make sense.}

KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity | Cognitive Level: Application

Ms. L is actively dying and has refused oral intake. Her caregiver is concerned. Which of the following responses would be the most helpful to the caregiver?
“Offer her fluids every hour, but respect her right to refuse.”
“Let’s see if we can obtain an order for an antipyretic suppository.”
“Dehydration is not painful and eases the passage from life. Offer sips of fluid upon request.”
“Put some fluid into her mouth every half hour and see if she will swallow it.”

Ans: 3

	Feedback
1.	Rather than fluids every hour, a better suggestion would be to offer ice chips or lubricating the lips with a moistened gauze or water-soluble product.
2.	There is no need for an antipyretic. Dehydration is believed to have a euphoric effect.
3.	Health-care workers need to counsel family members that dehydration at this time is believed to have a euphoric effect and is not painful
4.	Life will soon cease when a client’s eating and drinking diminishes critically. It is uncompassionate to force fluids to a client who is actively dying. Additionally, there is the risk of aspiration.

KEY: Integrated Process: Caring | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity | Cognitive Level: Application

The goal of palliative nutritional care for the terminally ill client is to do which of the following?
Alleviate discomfort and relieve symptoms
Maximize intake of a balanced diet
Compensate for malabsorption problems
Substitute a liquid complete nutritional supplement for solid food

Ans: 1

	Feedback
1.	The goal of palliative care is the relief of symptoms to alleviate or ease pain and discomfort. Emphasis in palliative care is placed on addressing pain and symptom control, spiritual and psychological support, and improving quality of life.
2.	Palliative nutritional care is not aimed at maximizing the intake of a balanced diet. The goal of palliative care is the relief of symptoms to alleviate or ease pain and discomfort. Emphasis in palliative care is placed on addressing pain and symptom control, spiritual and psychological support, and improving quality of life.
3.	Palliative nutritional care is not performed to compensate for malabsorption problems. The goal of palliative care is the relief of symptoms to alleviate or ease pain and discomfort. Emphasis in palliative care is placed on addressing pain and symptom control, spiritual and psychological support, and improving quality of life.
4.	Palliative nutritional care does not focus on substituting a liquid complete nutritional supplement for solid food. The goal of palliative care is the relief of symptoms to alleviate or ease pain and discomfort. Emphasis in palliative care is placed on addressing pain and symptom control, spiritual and psychological support, and improving quality of life.

KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity | Cognitive Level: Comprehension

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