Question

A patient's wife tells the nurse that she wants to be with her husband when he dies. The patient's respirations are irregular, and he is congested. The wife tells the nurse that she would like to go home to shower but that she is afraid her husband might die before she returns. Which response by the nurse is best?

1) Certainly, go ahead; your husband will most likely hold on until you return.
2) Your husband could live for days or a few hours; you should do whatever you are comfortable with.
3) You need to take care of yourself; go home and shower, and I'll stay at his bedside while you are gone.
4) Don't worry. Your husband is in good hands; I'll look out for him.

Answer 1

The optimal nurse response is to encourage the wife to take care of herself while ensuring continuous bedside support for the patient, reflecting a compassionate approach to hospice care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse in this scenario is balancing both empathy and practicality. Response three, "You need to take care of yourself; go home and shower, and I'll stay at his bedside while you are gone," acknowledges the wife's need for self-care while ensuring that the patient is not left alone. It's crucial in a hospice setting, where the focus is on providing a death with dignity and comfort, to support both the patient and their family members during this challenging time.