End-of-Life Care and Hospice Support Flashcards

What is the primary goal of hospice care?

Answer: To provide comfort and quality of life for patients who are dying

Hospice care focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than curative treatment for patients with terminal illness.

According to the Kübler-Ross model of grief, which stage involves a patient trying to make deals with God or medical providers in hopes of a different outcome?

Answer: Bargaining

Bargaining is the stage where patients attempt to negotiate — with God, fate, or doctors — hoping to delay or change their prognosis.

A hospice patient reports increased pain to the HCA. What is the most appropriate first action?

Answer: Report the complaint to the supervising nurse immediately

The HCA must report any change in patient condition, including new or worsening pain, to the nurse so that appropriate interventions can be ordered.

Which legal document allows a patient to specify their wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment in advance?

Answer: An advance directive (living will)

An advance directive (living will) is a legal document that records a patient's wishes about medical treatment should they become unable to communicate those wishes.

What does the abbreviation DNR mean in a healthcare setting?

Answer: Do Not Resuscitate

DNR stands for Do Not Resuscitate, meaning CPR and other resuscitative measures should not be performed if the patient's heart or breathing stops.

Which of the following physical signs may indicate that a patient's death is imminent?

Answer: Mottling of the skin and significantly decreased urine output

Mottling (blotchy skin discoloration due to poor circulation) and decreased urine output are late signs indicating the body's systems are shutting down.

After a patient passes away, what should the HCA do first?

Answer: Notify the nurse or charge nurse of the death

The HCA must first notify the supervising nurse, who will then verify the death and follow facility protocol for next steps.