An 87-year-old patient who is dying of metastatic ovarian cancer tells the nurse that she is concerned about being discharged home and living alone.She is independent in activities of daily living at present and is eager to maintain this independence for as long as possible.She expresses concern about dying alone and losing control.The nurse determines that the patient's concerns are:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is common for the dying person to fear dying itself,loss of control,and facing death alone.In option A,the patient is expressing concerns rather than withdrawing and suppressing the thoughts,which would be signs of depression.Option B is incorrect; these fears are realistic because the patient is dying.The patient is still independent and able to care for self,so a hospice referral would be premature.

An 87-Year-Old Patient Who Is Dying of Metastatic Ovarian Cancer