A patient is responding poorly to interventions aimed at treating shock and appears to be transitioning to the irreversible stage of shock. What action should the intensive care nurse include during this phase of the patients care?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As it becomes obvious that the patient is unlikely to survive, the family must be informed about the prognosis and likely outcome. Opportunities should be provided, throughout the patients care, for the family to see, touch, and talk to the patient. The onus should not be placed on the family to guide care, however. Interventions are not normally reduced gradually when they are deemed ineffective; instead,
they are discontinued when they appear futile. The patient would not be transferred to a subacute unit.

A Patient Is Responding Poorly to Interventions Aimed at Treating