Question

An adult child of a client who is terminally ill and at the end of life approaches a hospice nurse and asks "what can I do to help relieve my father's pain?" Which of the following interventions should the nurse suggest?

A.) Encourage the use of over-the-counter pain relievers.

B.) Offer small sips of water at frequent intervals.

C.) Assist with repositioning to find a comfortable position.

D.) Administer prescribed opioid pain medication as scheduled.

Answer 1

To relieve a terminally ill patient's pain, assisting with repositioning the patient can be helpful, and administering prescribed opioid medication as scheduled is important. Over-the-counter pain relievers might be insufficient, and opioids, which require careful supervision, may be prescribed by a doctor.

Step-by-step explanation:

When seeking ways to help relieve the pain of a terminally ill patient in hospice care, it is essential to follow the guidance of healthcare professionals. If the patient's pain is not managed effectively by over-the-counter pain relievers, a doctor may prescribe more potent medicines, such as opioids, which are powerful but come with risks, such as side effects and addiction potential. Therefore, they must be used under a doctor's supervision.

Within hospice care, the emphasis is on providing comfort rather than pursuing curative treatments. This includes ensuring that the patient is in a comfortable position, which can help reduce pain. Moreover, prescription opioids, like morphine and oxycodone, are often used for managing severe pain under the care of hospice professionals. Thus, for an adult child of a terminally ill patient, assisting with repositioning the patient to find a more comfortable position may help relieve pain (Option C). Additionally, administering prescribed opioid medication as scheduled is critical to managing severe pain (Option D). Offering small sips of water at frequent intervals may be beneficial for comfort but not specifically for pain relief (Option B).