Question

The home health nurse visits a 40 yo patient with metastatic breast cancer who is receiving palliative care. The patient is experincing pain 7-10. In prioritizing activities for the visit, the nurse would do which first?

a. Auscultate for breath sounds
b. Administer PRN pain medication
c. Check pressure points for skin breakdown
d. Ask family about patient's food and fluid intake.

Answer 1

The first priority for the nurse visiting a patient with metastatic breast cancer experiencing high levels of pain is to administer PRN pain medication. This immediate action is essential in palliative care to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prioritizing Nursing Activities for Palliative Care

In the scenario described, a 40-year-old patient with metastatic breast cancer experiencing significant pain on a scale of 7-10 requires a home health nurse visit. Among the listed activities, the nurse should prioritize administering PRN pain medication as the first action. Effective pain management is a critical component of palliative care, aiming to improve the patient's quality of life by relieving discomfort and suffering.

Following pain management, other important nursing activities may include assessing the patient's respiratory status by auscultating for breath sounds, inspecting for potential skin breakdown on pressure points, and inquiring about the patient's nutritional status through family reports on food and fluid intake. However, the immediate need to address severe pain takes precedence as it directly impacts the patient's comfort and well-being.

In line with the principles of hospice and palliative care, which focus on providing comprehensive physical, emotional, and spiritual support, analgesics and other methods to control pain and symptoms should be promptly administered to alleviate discomfort and support the patient's and family's needs during this challenging period.