Question

discuss personal experience of caring for a dying patient or doing a post mortem care

Answer 1

When the patient is diagnosed that he/ she will die then the relatives should be informed about the same. If they agree then health care professionnals can proceed to provide care and love to the patient. If the relatives don't agree and make an issue then it will be very problematic to take care of the patient.

When the patient is diagnosed for dying then he/she should be provided special attention, love, care. we should provide physical, social, spiritual and psychological need of the patient.

THINGS TO BE KEPT IN MIND IN TAKING CARE OF THE DYING PATIENTS;

• Mouth care should be given properly and relatives should be allowed to give sips of water to the patient using a sponge.
• If patient is having urinary incontinence, then urinary catheter should be inserted.

Inappropriate blood tests, measuring vital signs and unnecessary oral medicine should be discontinued.

• Pain management should be done by giving injectibles pain killer.
• Medical and nursing care should be available all the time for the patient.
• Allow the patient to open up, if they want to speak their mind.
• if any one wants to meet them especially children allow them to meet.

Postmortem care

• Provide privacy.
• It is after death care, prepare the patient for veiwing by the family.
• Ensure proper identification of the patient.
• Transfer the dead body to the morgue.
• Proper and safe disposition of patient belongings

When the death is confirmed, all the tubings catheters,lines tapes and adhesives should be removed. Body must be washed and cleaned. Head end should be elevated. Apply gauze to the openings to prevent blood and body fluids oozing out. There must be 3 identification tags All the family members should be allowed to see the deceased. Then tie the chin with a gauze pad, hands and both legs should be tied, Identification tags should be applied on the patient's body, one cope should be given to the relative, Shift the dead body to the mortury.