A patient in hospice care is experiencing significant pain, and their family expresses concern that administering prescribed pain medications may hasten the patient's death. How should the nurse respond to the family's concern?
Reassure the family that a smaller dose of medication can be administered to minimize their concern.
Advise the family to redirect their focus to other aspects of the patient’s care rather than the medication.
Explain that the pain medication is intended to alleviate suffering and improve the patient’s comfort.
Suggest discontinuing the pain medication to avoid the risks of hastened death.
The correct response involves educating the family about the purpose of pain management in hospice care, specifically that the primary goal is to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life, not to hasten death. It is important to reassure the family that pain medications, such as opioids, are carefully prescribed and administered to address suffering while maintaining the highest possible level of well-being. Incorrect answers either fail to address the family's concerns, provide accurate information, or suggest actions that could compromise the patient's comfort. For example, suggesting discontinuing the medication ignores the patient's suffering, while focusing on other aspects of care dismisses the legitimate concerns raised by the family.
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NCLEX RN
Psychosocial Integrity
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