Question

Case study 4

Alana’s husband and sons are now in her room. They are speaking very loudly and crying. They insist that Mai ‘do something’ quickly. They direct their anger towards her. Mai listens patiently and speaks calmly. The doctor arrives accompanied by an interpreter. He suggests that Alana take a dose of morphine orally at regular intervals to help settle her pain and make her last hours comfortable Alana’s family are worried that increasing the dose of morphine will hasten Alana’s death. Shortly after, Alana’s breathing becomes irregular and Alana is not able to be roused. Alana’s husband notices that Alana’s legs are mottled and her finger feel cool to the touch. He requests that Alana be given more blankets. Although the family members know Alana is dying, it is still a shock when it happens. They are pleased that Alana’s wishes were respected. Alana’s family starts to wail, a traditional Italian expression of open grief. Mai had developed a caring relationship with Alana during her time caring for her. She is sad, as she thought Alana would have lived a little longer; however, she has often thought about death and dying and is comforted by her own beliefs. She follows the organisation’s protocols for maintaining Alana’s dignity after death and comforts Alana’s family members and makes sure her sadness doesn’t affect anyone else. The team leader is impressed by how Mai handles her grief, especially as she is a new worker. He asks Mai to prepare five helpful hints about handling personal grief, which the organisation can provide to new workers in the future.

1) What self-care strategies could Mai employ to address potential impacts of personal responses on themselves?

Answer 1

Informing relatives

Helping them them to arrive

Confirming death

Last offices such as

All Denominations

Lay the deceased one with supine position with arms on side ,legs straight and pillow under head

Provide the opportunity bereaved for viewing the deceased

Ensuring privacy and dignity

covering the deceased with clean ,fresh Lenin cloth

speaking quietly and avoiding unnecessary conversation

Reducing environmental noise

Make sure that adequate seating for the bereaved