End-of-Life & Palliative Care Flashcards

According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, which of the following is NOT one of the five stages of grief?

Answer: Guilt

Kübler-Ross's five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — guilt is not one of them.

A patient on hospice care has a religious item placed in her bed for comfort. The aide should:

Answer: Respect its importance and carefully replace it after care

Respecting religious and cultural objects honors the patient's dignity and spiritual needs, which are central to palliative care.

Which action by the aide BEST supports a dying patient's sense of control?

Answer: Offering simple choices, such as what to wear or when to bathe

Offering small choices preserves autonomy and dignity, which are critical psychological needs at end of life.

Terminal restlessness in a dying patient may be managed by the aide by:

Answer: Speaking calmly, dimming lights, and reducing noise in the environment

A calm, quiet environment with gentle reassurance can reduce agitation; clinical interventions are managed by the nurse.

A patient's advance directive states she does not want artificial nutrition. The family insists the aide provide tube feeding. The aide should:

Answer: Explain that the patient's documented wishes must be respected and contact the nurse

Advance directives legally represent the patient's own wishes, which take precedence over family preferences; the nurse must be involved.

Which statement about pain medication in hospice care is TRUE?

Answer: Regular scheduled doses often provide better comfort than PRN-only dosing

Scheduled dosing maintains consistent blood levels and prevents breakthrough pain, which is often more effective than waiting for the patient to ask.

A palliative care patient says he wants to die at home. The aide should:

Answer: Document and report this wish to the supervising nurse

The patient's expressed wishes about location of death must be documented and communicated to the care team.