A nurse is assigned to provide care for a 96-year-old bedridden man who experiences severe pain from a chronic neurological disease. The man asks the nurse to please help him leave this world so that his suffering ends. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nurses caring for chronically ill older adults have the added responsibility of determining who is at risk for wanting physician-assisted suicide and helping them to be as comfortable as possible and free of pain through the use of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Refusing to care for the man could be construed as abandonment and is not necessary. Consulting a pain care specialist is the correct action.

A Nurse Is Assigned to Provide Care for a 96-Year-Old