If there are things that they witnessed that were distressful, that could negatively impact the perception of their loved one’s death. One of the most important things that a nurse can do who is caring for patients nearing the end of life is to provide care for the family during this time and remember that although you may not remember what care you provided, the family will remember every second that took place during that time. The sights and sounds that can occur during that time, while normal for the nurse and clinician, can be extremely frightening and distressing for the family. There are many characteristics associated with the dying process which nurses who care for patients who are dying have grown accustomed to. It is vital that the nurse performs thorough assessments, rapid response to changes in status, rapid titration of medications, and timely discontinuation and introduction of interventions aimed to promote comfort. The care the nurse provides during this phase will affect the family’s memories of their loved one’s final days and hours on earth. This is the phase that precedes the actual death, and is also the time when the patient typically loses consciousness. This is particularly important during the “imminent” phase. One of the most important things we can do for patients who are dying is to provide the best possible care for them and their families during the last phase of life through death. This is so we can facilitate a “good death” for our patients, remembering that a good death means ensuring that patients’ preferences are met and symptoms are managed through the use of open communication. It is the goal of this book that all nurses regardless of practice setting will be informed about the best nursing care practices at the end of life. What we can do is to be armed with the best knowledge about management of symptoms during the dying process and utilize them appropriately as needed. An intervention that works well for one person dying of cancer might not work for another person. Advanced illnesses and diseases that are terminal differ in the way they progress from person to person. As nurses, we cannot with 100% certainty ensure that each of our patient’s dying process will go smoothly without any problems. It is vital that the nurse involved in that patient’s care advocate for the patient’s wishes for their end of life.Įvery nurse has an obligation to facilitate their patient’s wishes regarding their care preferences at the end of life. Patients who know that they are dying will usually make their wishes known about where they want to spend their final days and hours. Dying is an individualized experience and each person dies in their own way and time (ELNEC, 2010). Each person’s dying process and death is individual to that person. The dying process is the transition that a person goes through that ultimately ends in death. Typically, before a person dies, there is a cascade of events that are collectively known as the dying process. What happens beyond death is unknown to those reading this book. It involves the cessation of physical, psychological, social and spiritual life here on earth.
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