How should the nurse respond when the son of an end-stage cancer patient tells the nurse that his "dad is refusing to eat" and he fears that his father has "given up hope"?
A) Make suggestions of foods that his father might find palatable.
B) Have the son complete a 24-hour food diary of what his father eats.
C) Explain that this is normal and that his father is comfortable.
D) Call the physician and request a nutrition consult.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In end-stage cancer, loss of appetite and reduced food intake are common and can be part of the natural dying process. The nurse should reassure the son that this is a normal part of the progression and focus on comfort measures.

How Should the Nurse Respond When the Son of an End-Stage