NRS 311 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Advanced Life Support, John Bowlby, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
27 May 2018
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Chapter 15 Communication in Life-Threatening Illness and Spiritual Care
• Spiritual needs can become a primary focus.
• Life Threatening Illness
o stages of death and dying: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and
acceptance.
• Talking with patients about life threatening Illness
o Explain the Disease and treatment, using other healthcare providers to deliver
information and answer questions that are not within the realm of nursing.
o Allow ample time for the patient to discuss his or her thoughts, feelings, and fears
about the diagnosis and treatment and their impact on his or her life
o Help the patient explore sources of support and previous methods of coping that
have bee successful
o Work wit the patient and family when making decisions about care to enhance
their sense of control over what may be a frightening situation
o Observe the patient for signs of ineffective coping patterns and/or psychiatric
disorders that require further assessment, intervention, or referral
o Provide positive feedback for the patients use of coping strategies that work
o Address the patient’s concerns about symptom control: pain relief and control of
nausea, with the possible interventions in problems arise
o Suggest other sources of information and support including support groups,
websites, and community organizations
• Spiritual Assessment
o Spiritual assessment is not a one-time event, but rather is ongoing, as the
patient’s spiritual needs may change as a result of the illness experience
and disease progression
o Spiritual assessment covers three topics: general spiritual status, spiritual
needs, and spiritual resources.
• Do’s of spiritual care
o Take a spiritual history
o Support the patients beliefs
o Say a short prayer if requested
o Refer spiritual needs to chaplains and develop relationships with local chaplains
o Alter the healthcare environment to accommodate religious rituals and practices
• Attentive listening
o 4 spiritual issies are apt to arise when facing life threatening disease
▪ Needs for forgiveness and reconciliation
▪ Needs for prayer and religious services
▪ Spiritual assistance at death
▪ A Sense of preac
• Communication without words
• Advanced Directives
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