A Hospice Patient Is Unable to Tolerate Food or Fluids

question 5

Multiple Choice

A hospice patient is unable to tolerate food or fluids and has advance directives that indicate that he does not want IV fluids or tube feedings if he is unable to take oral feedings. His family is concerned that he will be very uncomfortable without food or fluids. The nurse should tell them that:

• A) once the patient is unconscious, his health care proxy can order IV fluids or tube feedings to prevent dehydration.
• B) dehydration is painful, and medication can be given to overcome any pain.
• C) IV fluids or a tube feeding would make the patient much more comfortable, and they should try to talk him into accepting them.
• D) IV fluids or tube feeding would likely make the patient more uncomfortable, and dehydration has been shown to decrease pain and discomfort.

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Definitions:

Conditioned Response

In behavioral psychology, the learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become conditioned.

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A policy or practice aimed at ensuring a certain percentage or number of positions are reserved for indigenous people, in contexts such as education or employment.

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A common male given name in South Asia, meaning "new" in Sanskrit.

Group Membership

The affiliation or association with specific groups or communities, which can influence individual identity and behavior.