Question

After assessing an older adult patient in long-term care who has been slowly deteriorating for weeks, the nurse manager calls the family and asks them to come in, as the patient is dying. The nurse manager's decision and actions are based on:

Option 1: The patient's recent improvement
Option 2: Family vacation plans
Option 3: A routine checkup schedule
Option 4: Deterioration observed in the patient

Answer 1

The nurse manager's call to the family concerning the older adult's condition is based on the observed deterioration of the patient, reflecting the hospice care approach of dignity and family presence during end-of-life care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse manager's decision to call the family regarding the older adult patient in long-term care is based on the deterioration observed in the patient. The nurse manager has assessed that the patient has been slowly deteriorating over weeks and is now approaching the end of life. This decision aligns with the philosophy of providing a death with dignity and ensuring the patient is surrounded by family during their final moments, an important aspect of hospice care.

Many individuals now take proactive measures in their younger years to plan for their old age, such as crafting living wills and deciding on medical power of attorney. This trend indicates a shift towards more personal autonomy and dignity in the process of aging and end-of-life care. However, in this specific scenario, the nurse manager is taking necessary steps to inform the family so they can be with their loved one in a controlled and compassionate hospice environment, keeping the patient's comfort and dignity in mind as emphasized by the hospice care philosophy.