The Nurse Is Caring for an Older Adult Patient Who

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is very thin and emaciated. The patient reports new onset of shortness of breath. A chest x-ray examination reveals a spot on the lungs that the physician believes is an inoperable lung cancer. Because of the patient's poor nutritional status, chemotherapy is not an option. The healthcare provider also believes that the location of the cancer would make radiation therapy unsuccessful. In advocating for this patient, what approach does the nurse collaborate with the healthcare team to offer the patient?

A) Provide palliative care to keep the patient comfortable without diagnostic testing
B) Perform any procedure necessary to diagnose the patient properly
C) Promote the use of blood tests to diagnose the suspected cancer
D) Determine the patient's and family's wishes regarding diagnostic testing