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Nursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life

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Nursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life
Nursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life
Lisa White
Western Governors University
Community and Population Health
SZT 2

September 07, 2013

Nursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life
Personal Perceptions
Quality of life is an individual concept that is different for each person. Personal perception of quality of life may differ from the reality of one’s life. My perception of quality of life and health promotion include a close relationship with spouse and family, a general sense of contentment and happiness, good health and an active lifestyle. The nurse caring for a patient with a terminal or lingering illness must be cognitive of his/her own feelings regarding end-of-life choices to effectively care for the patient and the family. Nurses are taught to provide care to patients in a non-judgmental way without regard to their own opinions and feelings. It is essential for the nurse to provide care in all situations in a non-judgmental fashion and most importantly with the utmost empathy for the patient and family. According to an article in Cancer Practice, quality of life is generally defined as aspects that make life worth living to include health and physical well-being as well as psychological, social, and financial well-being. (McMillan & Weitzner, 1998, p. 282)
Strategies
Strategies to improve the quality of life of the Thomas’s include adequate pain management, assessment of current financial concerns, and exploring options for interaction with immediate family. The patient will require an assessment of her current pain level and effectiveness of currently prescribed analgesia. The patient is experiencing a moderate degree of pain on most days but is not taking the pain medication because she is afraid of addiction. Education of the patient and caregiver related to pain medication and addiction is essential to achieving pain control. The nurse should provide the physician with assessment information related to


References: Bass, M. (2010, October 10). Anatomy and Physiology of pain and the management of breakthrough pain in palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 16(10), . Epeno, J., Raming, N. T., Irwin, S. A., Nelesen, R. A., & Lloyd, L. S. (2013). THE IMPACT OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES ON CAREGIVERS OF HOSPICE PATIENTS AND HOSPICE SOCIAL WORKERS*†. Omega, 67. McMillan, S. C., & Weitzner, M. (1998). Quality of Life in Cancer Patients. Cancer Practice, 6(5), 282-288. Raymer, M., Huber, R., Reese, D., Orloff, S., Gerbino, S., & Butler, C. (n.d.). Social Work Assessment Tool (SWAT) A Guideline for use and completion. Retrieved from http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/nchpp/SWAT_Information_Booklet.pdf
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