Question

16. A patient on the medical unit is dying and the nurse has determined that the familys psychosocial needs during the dying process need to be addressed. What is a cause of many patient care dilemmas at the end of life?

A) Poor communication between the family and the care team
B) Denial of imminent death on the part of the family or the patient
C) Limited visitation opportunities for friends and family
D) Conflict between family members

Answer 1

Poor communication between the family and care team is a critical cause of patient care dilemmas at the end of life, which can complicate the provision of psychosocial support and the management of the stages of grief.

Step-by-step explanation:

A cause of many patient care dilemmas at the end of life is poor communication between the family and the care team. In situations of terminal illness, communication is crucial for providing psychosocial support to the patient and the family. Hospice care aims to alleviate these issues by emphasizing communication, providing psychosocial support, and ensuring the patient can spend their last days in comfort, often at home.

This care model also addresses the five stages of grief, as proposed by Elizabeth Kü bler-Ross, which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While some individuals may find an adaptive coping mechanism in not facing death until the very end, it's vital to recognize that not everyone processes grief in the same way.