Question

1. Discuss the interventions and relationships between advanced practice nurses and families in creating positive outcomes in palliative and end-of-life care.

2. How might you assist a parent or parents in preparing for a discussion about death and dying with a child?

3. Do you believe these assertions and strategies could be useful in the work you do or hope to do one day? Why or why not?

4. Are there any interventions you can share that you have used either personally or professionally?

Answer 1

1. The ability to effectively communicate with patients and families is an important skill for any palliative care nurse. Palliative care nurses must have the ability to explain complex information, as patients are often seeking clarity on disease progression, medications, and plan of care. Palliative care nurses must be able to communicate this information to both the patient and family. It is within the nursing scope of practice to thoroughly explain and educate patients and families on symptoms and treatments through the end of life, including medication regimens.

2. Talk with the family several times to ensure adequate understanding Choose a quiet, private setting free from interruption Allow sufficient time for discussion Give the family the pertinent information upfront Let their reaction guide the flow of discussion Discover what is important to the family and child Reveal your own personal concern and emotion Ask open-ended questions Use easy-to-understand language Acknowledge the family as the expert on their child Involve them in the decision making and establish a plan Palliation begins immediately and is ongoing Address end-of-life care early Arrange other meetings to ensure understanding and support

3. In some cases these stratergies will be usefull to relive so stress of the familily. But how ever the awkwardness for accepting the truth will be there. through some talks it can get gradually descreased.

4. No. I haven't gone through such a situation.