Final answer:
When a client dies in a long-term care facility during a nurse's shift, the nurse should confirm death with a physician, follow the facility's protocols for notification and body preparation, respect living will and DNR orders, and document all details thoroughly. Hospice care principles guide the process to ensure dignity and respect.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a client who dies during their shift, there are several steps that should be taken to ensure that the situation is handled with the utmost professionalism and respect for the deceased and their family. First, the nurse must confirm the death with a physician in order to obtain an official declaration. The nurse should then follow the facility's protocols, which usually includes notifying the appropriate parties such as the facility's administration, the deceased person's family, and in some cases, the coroner or medical examiner. Next, the body should be prepared according to the facility's policy, which might involve cleaning the body, closing the eyes, and arranging the limbs in a natural position before the family arrives to say their last goodbyes. Respect for the deceased's dignity and the family's grieving process should be prioritized throughout this period.
If the deceased had a living will or a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, these documents should be reviewed and followed carefully. Finally the nurse should document the time and circumstances surrounding the death meticulously in the patient's medical record. Hospice care aims to provide a death with dignity and appropriate pain management ideally in a comfortable environment which might influence the way these steps are handled in a hospice setting. Nevertheless, the principles of respectful and compassionate care of the deceased remain consistent.