Question

Community Case: Faith-Based Community Case Part 1 Darnell, who is 56 years old, is of African American heritage and has a diagnosis of late stage colon cancer His physicsan has indicated that there are no additional medical interventions to treat the condition. The physician has contacted the home health agency and requested that a nurse visit the family Amy, a home health nurse from the AOM Home Health Agency, visits Darnell and has wife, Carlene, to discuss the available support systems and possibly arrange for Damell to have hospice care services Questions for students 1 For individuals with a terminal diagnosis, what end of life nursing interventions can contribute to a meaningful quality of life? 2. What are the adression criteria for hospice care? Does it sound like and meets these criteris? 3. What is the philosophy of hospice care? Where are hospice services provided (eg the home, an institution, othe)? 4. What role do nurses have in hospice care? Compare this with the provision of palliative care nursing interventions in general practice

Answer 1

1.Nurses play an important role in improving the quality of life in terminally ill clients. Their main aim is to releive pain and discomfort of the client and also to support the client and family in aspects like decision making. The nurse can provide physical, spiritual and psychological support to the clients and their family. The interventions can be chosen according to their needs. For example if the client is having severe pain, pain managing interventions can be provided to reduce pain and provide comfort to the client.

2.The admission criteria for hospice care include end of life diseases like cancer with life expectancy less than 6 months, renal diseases, dementia, HIV,AIDS,terminal illness, chronic degenerative diseases. Daniel has late stage colon cancer and he is eligible as no medical interventions is for his disease and needs palliative care.

3.The philosophy of hospice care is to provide comfort to clients and family members who does not like to continue their treatment or those who are unable to receive it. The main philosophy is to alleivate the clients suffering as much as possible. Hospice services are provided in nursing homes, long term care facilities, hospitals.

4. Hospice nurse provides care to clients in managing pain and other symptoms,provide adequate support to the clients and family,help the family members in decision making and also make necessary arrangements for clients to die with dignity. The main interventions in palliative care is to improve the quality of life of clients and not focusing on curing the disease.