NR 305 Discussion Week 8: End of Life Care

Course  

NR 305 Health Assessment

Purpose

The purpose of this reflection is for learners to apply this week’s lesson on assessment at end of life to past practice experiences, and to consider how knowledge gained this week might shape future practice.

Course Outcomes

This reflection enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

CO 2: Differentiate between normal and abnormal health assessment findings. (PO 4)

CO 3: Describe physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual influences on an individual’s health status. (PO 1)

CO 6: Demonstrate professional behavior and caring during patient interactions. (POs 6, 7)

Due Date

  • During the assigned week (Sunday the start of the assigned week through Saturday the end of the assigned week):
    • Posts in the discussion at least two times, and
    • Posts in the discussion on two different days

Points Possible

50 points

Directions

  • Reflection is an activity that involves your deep thought into your own experiences related to the concepts of the week. Answers should be detailed. In reflections students:
    • Demonstrate understanding of concepts for the week
    • Engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and/or instructor
    • Express opinions clearly and logically, in a professional manner
  • Use the rubric on this page as you compose your
  • Scholarly sources are NOT required for this reflection
·    Best Practices include:
  • Participation early in the week is encouraged to stimulate meaningful discussion among classmates and
  • Enter the reflection often during the week to read and learn from
  • Select different classmates for your reply each week.

Reflection

Share with your classmates a time when you cared for a patient at the end of their life. This may be a time when you assisted the patient (or their support system) with decisions related to end of life care; or a time when you were present for the death of a patient.

  • What were your observations related to this experience?
  • Do you believe it was a peaceful death?
  • What went well?
  • Can you think of anything that could have made the experience better for the patient and/or family?

SOLUTION 

Unfortunately, I have had many instances of caring for patients at the end of their life throughout my short career. As a new grad nurse, I worked on a renal medsurg floor. We often had open rooms and that was where patient placement would put end of life patients. These patients were called “comfort care” patients which basically meant hospice but unable to discharge to facility or home. The new grad nurses usually got these patients, so I got experience with end of life right off the bat as a new nurse. My role with these patients was complete patient care until the end as well as caring for any family that may be present.

As an acute dialysis nurse, I see many deaths. Often, they are sudden and during the treatment. With these deaths my role is to assist with postmortem care. Some are patients I have taken care of multiple treatments and eventually they decide to stop treatment and go the hospice route.….please click the purchase button below to access the entire solution at $5