Question

4. A 36-year-old patient is dying from acute lymphocytic leukemia. He is a home hospice patient, and 6 hours ago his family brought him to the emergency room for pain and intractable vomiting. He’s now resting comfortably after receiving medications and hydration. His family, however, is concerned because they’ve noticed that his extremities look mottled. He also rouses less easily. His blood pressure is 80/40 and his pulse is 150, with occasional skipped beats. The family reviews his DNR status and informs you that the patient wishes to die at home, surrounded by his extended family. Their house is located in another state, about 3 hours from the hospital. They tell you that the patient can recline in their van for the trip home, and that they wish to take his IVs and morphine pump. As his nurse, how will you handle this situation? Explain in detail.

5. How would the nurse ask a family to donate organs after their 23-year-old son has just been mortally injured? What are the processes for the organ retrieval?

Answer 1

Answer Q4.

1. First, confirm the record of the patient that meets hospice eligibility requirements.
2. Review all medications and interventions. Any medication and interventions that do not help the patient should be discussed with families and made to discontinue them.
3. Contact the Hospice Agency.
4. Inform about the patient current condition
5. Include Hospice Staff in the discharge plan.
6. Make sure that durable medical equipment and medications available when the patient arrives at home.

Answer Q5.

• People usually volunteer to donate organs because they loved their families. However, Considering the health condition of their son who has just been mortally injured it will be difficult to convince them. But if their son is medically fit to donate and the chances of survival rate is high then the Nurse can ask family members to donate organs.
• Process of organ retrieval:-

1. Identification of donor
2. Evaluation of donor eligibility and matching.
3. Obtain consent from the donor and recipient.
4. Medical Preparation
5. Transplant