TERMINAL CARE by mic

Terminal Care
Terminal refers to the end of the body and change in status. - near death or having a disease that cannot be cured.

TERMINAL CARE - an important part of palliative care - refers to the care imparted to people with near death situation or serious illnesses

FOCUS:

- Evaluation

of the patient -Physical (signs and symptoms of the disease, other physical problems) -Pyschosocial (what he thinks of himself and what he thinks others think of him) -Spiritual (treat them as spiritual beings) -Familys experience

FOCUS ON: Patient and Family

PHYSICAL DIMENSION of TERMINAL CARE

GENERAL: Patients who are terminally ill experience many of the SAME symptoms, regardless of their underlying disease. -Symptoms may be caused by -the disease -the treatment for the disease (in cancer patients) -coexisting disorder unrelated to the disease Nurses Goal: symptom management - Carefully and systematically assess and manage

ANTICIPATE and PLAN interventions for the symptoms

- always include patients and familys decision in the plan of care -It will make the patient and the family feel IN CONTROL

Teach the client and the family members what to expect and how to manage the symptoms

Interventions are always based on the patients or familys decision

- Patients may choose to decrease symptoms to a tolerable level rather than to relieve them completely

it allows the patient to have greater independence, mobility, alertness and self-esteem.

PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSION of TERMINAL CARE

Nurses are responsible -for educating patients about their illness -for supporting them as they adapt to life with illness - Appreciate and understand the illness from the patients perspective. - Be culturally aware and sensitive on approaches to communication with patients and families about DEATH. Not to frank yet not to reserved

Let them also know about methods of stating end-of-life preferences

- Advance directives - Durable power of attorney for health care - Living will

NURSES GOALS: Patients readiness to death and awareness of his situation.

SPIRITUAL DIMENSION of TERMINAL CARE

GENERAL: Treat patient as a human and spiritual being Be aware of the patients cultural and spiritual beliefs Be aware of issues such as - meaning of existence - purpose of suffering - existence of afterlife Nurses Goal: Spiritual stability before leaving