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?

Option 1:
A. Administer over-the-counter pain relievers regularly.

Option 2:
B. Encourage the use of heat packs and cold compresses alternately.

Option 3:
C. Provide emotional support and spend quality time with the father.

Option 4:
D. Suggest increasing physical activity to distract from pain.

Answer 1

The nurse should suggest providing emotional support and spending quality time with the father. Research has shown that hospice care can improve the patient's quality of life and reduce pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should suggest Option C: Provide emotional support and spend quality time with the father. While all the options may have some benefit, providing emotional support and spending quality time with the father is likely to have the greatest impact on relieving his pain. Research has shown that hospice care, which focuses on providing comfort and support to patients at the end of life, can improve the patient's quality of life and reduce pain. This can be achieved through emotional support, creating a calm and peaceful environment, and promoting positive interactions with loved ones (McMillan et al., 2006).