Question

Which intervention is appropriate for a client receiving palliative care?

1) Surgical insertion of a device to decrease the workload of the heart in a patient awaiting heart transplantation
2) Administering IV dopamine to raise blood pressure of a patient with end-stage lung cancer
3) Providing moisturizing eye drops to an unconscious patient whose eyes are dry
4) Administering a medication to relieve the nausea of a patient with end-stage leukemia

Answer 1

The most apt intervention for a patient in palliative care among the given choices is to provide moisturizing eye drops to an unconscious patient to alleviate dry eyes, adhering to the palliative care principles of symptom management and patient comfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

Appropriate Intervention for Palliative Care:

Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. In this context, the most appropriate intervention for a client receiving palliative care from the options provided would be providing moisturizing eye drops to an unconscious patient whose eyes are dry. This intervention is consistent with palliative care's objective of comfort and symptom management, unlike other options that are more invasive or aimed at treating the underlying disease process.

Options such as surgical insertion of a device to decrease the workload of the heart or administering IV dopamine to raise blood pressure are more aligned with curative or life-prolonging approaches rather than palliative care. On the other hand, administering a medication to relieve nausea for a patient with end-stage leukemia is also an appropriate palliative intervention, focusing on alleviating discomfort and improving the patient's quality of life.