A hospice client with advanced lung cancer is experiencing severe dyspnea at rest, with an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The client appears anxious and has audible wheezing. The nurse must prioritize comfort-focused interventions. Which nursing actions are appropriate for comfort-focused care? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
In hospice care, the focus is on the client's comfort and quality of life. Administering prescribed opioids can relieve dyspnea effectively, while reassurance helps manage anxiety, which can worsen breathing difficulties. Positioning the client appropriately also aids in respiratory comfort. However, increasing oxygen levels without a comprehensive assessment may not be necessary and could detract from comfort care principles. Educating the family is important, but it does not address the immediate needs of the client. Lastly, deep suctioning can increase distress and is not aligned with the goals of comfort care.
Clinical Reasoning In hospice care, the focus is on the client's comfort and quality of life. Administering prescribed opioids can relieve dyspnea effectively, while reassurance helps manage anxiety, which can worsen breathing difficulties. Positioning the client appropriately also aids in respiratory comfort. However, increasing oxygen levels without a comprehensive assessment may not be necessary and could detract from comfort care principles. Educating the family is important, but it does not address the immediate needs of the client. Lastly, deep suctioning can increase distress and is not aligned with the goals of comfort care.
Option Review
Incorrect — Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's position can facilitate better lung expansion and improve respiratory comfort, making it a suitable intervention.
Correct — Administering a prescribed opioid is appropriate as it can effectively alleviate dyspnea and enhance the client's comfort during distressing episodes.
Correct — Providing reassurance and emotional support is essential for reducing anxiety, which can exacerbate the client's perception of dyspnea and discomfort.
Incorrect — Teaching the family about maintaining a calm environment is beneficial but is secondary to immediate comfort measures for the client.
Correct — Increasing the oxygen flow rate without assessing the client's overall condition may not align with comfort-focused care, as it could lead to unnecessary interventions.
Incorrect — Performing deep suctioning may cause additional distress and discomfort, which contradicts the principles of comfort-focused care.
Sources
12026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
2NCI: Last Days of Life supportive care
A hospice client with advanced lung cancer is experiencing severe dyspnea at rest, with an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The client appears anxious and has audible wheezing. The nurse must prioritize comfort-focused interventions.