Question

A terminally ill client is visited frequently by the spouse and teenage children. which nursing interventions would the client's plan of care include?

A. "Facilitate family meetings to discuss the client's care preferences and address any concerns or questions."
B. "Provide emotional support and counseling to both the client and family members."
C. "Assist the family in creating a comfortable and calming environment for the client."
D. "Educate the family on end-of-life care options and involve them in decision-making processes."

Answer 1

Nursing interventions for a terminally ill client and their family may include facilitating family meetings, providing emotional support and counseling, assisting in creating a comfortable environment for the client, and educating the family on end-of-life care options. These interventions support both patient and family well-being and align with the benefits of hospice care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When planning the care for a terminally ill client who is visited frequently by their spouse and teenage children, nursing interventions in the client's plan of care should include several aspects. These aspects are centered on providing holistic support to both the patient and their family during this challenging time. Specifically, interventions would involve:

• Facilitating family meetings to discuss the client's care preferences and to address any concerns or questions, ensuring that all family members are included in the conversation and that the patient’s wishes are clearly understood.
• Providing emotional support and counseling to both the client and family members, recognizing the emotional challenges they face and offering professional support to help them cope.
• Assisting the family in creating a comfortable and calming environment for the client, which includes making the physical surroundings soothing and addressing any special needs the client may have.
• Educating the family on end-of-life care options and involving them in decision-making processes, ensuring that they are informed about hospice services and the benefits associated with such care, such as pain management and emotional support.

Research supports the effectiveness of hospice care for both the patient—by allowing them to remain at home and maintain a level of independence—and for the family—by reducing caregiver burden and increasing family support. Hospice care not only contributes to higher patient satisfaction and potentially longer life expectancy for the terminally ill but also provides families with crucial emotional support and assistance in end-of-life care planning.