Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyEnd of Life Care

An adult child is visiting their parent, who is receiving palliative care and has become unresponsive. The family member states to the licensed practical nurse, "I feel so helpless just sitting here in silence. Is there anything I can do?" Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

  1. Hearing is widely considered the last sense to fade. You might find it comforting to talk to your parent or share favorite memories.Answer
  2. B
    This feeling of helplessness means you have reached the depression stage of the grieving process.
  3. C
    Do not worry about doing anything; everything will turn out fine just the way it is.
  4. D
    Why do you feel that you need to be actively performing tasks at a time like this?

Answer

The most appropriate response encourages the family member to speak to the client, utilizing the understanding that hearing is the last sense lost at the end of life.
Empowering the family member to talk to the client provides essential psychosocial support to both the family and the dying individual. Hearing is generally believed to remain intact longer than other senses, making verbal communication a highly appropriate, evidence-based, and comforting intervention for an unresponsive client.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the family member's immediate psychosocial need.
The family member feels helpless and wants a meaningful way to interact with their unresponsive parent.
Understanding the emotional state of the family dictates the direction of the nurse's therapeutic response.
2
Recall physiological principles regarding sensory loss at the end of life.
Hearing is universally recognized as the last sense to diminish during the active dying process.
This fact provides a foundation for a concrete, supportive intervention.
3
Select the response that offers constructive guidance while avoiding communication blocks.
Suggesting that the family member talk to the client empowers them without using false reassurance or demanding explanations.
Therapeutic communication should validate feelings and provide actionable support.

Key Concept

Therapeutic Communication and Psychosocial Support at the End of Life
Rate this question

Topics

End of Life Care

More questions from this topic