Deck 8: End of Life

Question 1

Which of the following situations is an example of an ethical dilemma that can arise while the nurse on a medical unit is caring for a terminally ill patient who is near death?

A) The family wishes that the patient will live longer.
B) The family requests IV fluids for hydration of the patient.
C) The family requests administration of narcotics for the patient's pain relief.
D) The family refuses to allow the patient's transfer to a Palliative Care Unit.

Answer 1

The family requests IV fluids for hydration of the patient.

Question 2

The nurse administers larger and larger doses of narcotics prescribed for pain control,which hastens the terminally ill patient's death.In which of the following acts has the nurse participated?

A) Euthanasia
B) Assisted suicide
C) Passive euthanasia
D) Withdrawal of treatment

Answer 2

Passive euthanasia

Question 3

The nurse decides not to raise the issue of organ donation with a patient's family because of fear of interfering with the grieving process.Which of the following statements describes how this nurse is acting?

A) The nurse is acting in the best interests of the family.
B) The nurse is acting in the best interests of the patient.
C) The nurse is being disrespectful of the patient's autonomy.
D) The nurse is acting this way because she knows the patient's organs are unsuitable.

Answer 3

The nurse is being disrespectful of the patient's autonomy.

Question 4

Which of the following people can make the decision to donate postmortem tissue?

A) The nurse on duty at the time of the patient's death
B) The patient's spouse
C) The physician
D) The funeral director

Question 5

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in Canada due to the ethical principle of the sanctity of life.In light of this,which other ethical principle might be in conflict for nurses who work with dying patients?

A) Autonomy
B) Veracity
C) Informed choice
D) Responsibility and accountability

Question 6

The nurse is working with a dying patient and his family.The nurse should incorporate cultural factors into the evaluation of care.

Question 7

Which of the following approaches is the best way to increase the number of potential organ donors?

A) The nurse should approach all patients who are admitted through a hospital Emergency Ward and ask them about organ donation.
B) The nurse should wait until the patient is settled in an inpatient unit before asking about organ donation.
C) The nurse should only ask the families of dying patients in an Intensive Care Unit about organ donation.
D) The nurse should provide organ donor information to patients who are discharged from the hospital.

Question 8

For nurses,an ethical dilemma is resolved when a seriously brain-injured child,who is now brain dead,is removed from life support.

Question 9

When discussing the condition of a terminally ill patient with his family members,the terminology "Do Not Resuscitate" should never be discussed and offered,because the family may think it means "do nothing."

Question 10

Which of the following activities will help to ensure the dignity of older adult clients,regardless of their capacity?

A) Use terminology that older adult clients can understand,such as "diapers."
B) Engage in conversation with older adult clients about their lives.
C) Take over control from older adult clients as much as possible to conserve their energy.
D) Call older adult clients by their first name only.

Question 11

Which of the following statements best describes assisted suicide?

A) It is a form of withdrawal of treatment.
B) It is a passive process,and the patient is mentally competent.
C) It is an active process,and the patient is mentally incompetent.
D) It is an active process,and the patient is mentally competent.

Question 12

The daughter of a patient in the nurse's care states that her mother has verbally expressed her wishes for treatment.This is an example of an advance directive or living will.

Question 13

Euthanasia means that all life-sustaining treatment is withdrawn.