Reflection on End of Life Care (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Purpose

The purpose of this reflection is for learners to apply this week’s lesson on assessment at end of life to past practice experiences, and to consider how knowledge gained this week might shape future practice.

Course Outcomes

This reflection enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

CO 2: Differentiate between normal and abnormal health assessment findings. (PO 4)

CO 3: Describe physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual influences on an individual’s health status. (PO 1)

CO 6: Demonstrate professional behavior and caring during patient interactions. (POs 6, 7)

Due Date

During the assigned week (Sunday the start of the assigned week through Saturday the end of the assigned week):
- Posts in the discussion at least two times, and
- Posts in the discussion on two different days

Directions

Reflection is an activity that involves your deep thought into your own experiences related to the concepts of the week. Answers should be detailed. In reflections students:
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts for the week
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and/or instructor
- Express opinions clearly and logically, in a professional manner
Use the rubric on this page as you compose your answers.
Scholarly sources are NOT required for this reflection
Best Practices include:
- Participation early in the week is encouraged to stimulate meaningful discussion among classmates and instructor.
- Enter the reflection often during the week to read and learn from posts.
- Select different classmates for your reply each week.

Reflection

Share with your classmates a time when you cared for a patient at the end of their life. This may be a time when you assisted the patient (or their support system) with decisions related to end of life care; or a time when you were present for the death of a patient.

What were your observations related to this experience?
Do you believe it was a peaceful death?
What went well?
Can you think of anything that could have made the experience better for the patient and/or family?

ANSWER

Cared For A Patient At The End Of Their Life

The most difficult time as a nurse is providing end-of-life care. Although it is advised to keep composure as a professional, it is difficult to witness a loss of life. My most memorable experience was caring for a young girl with leukemia, who had a few days to live after long weeks in the hospital. The young girl had been in and out of the hospital as her parents still hoped for a miracle. Even when the parents knew they couldn’t do anything more to make her stay, they stayed closer to her, read stories, prayed, and helped her sleep even when in pain. Their presence made the girl smile even when she was in pain, and you could tell she was a happy girl. I was in the room when she flattened together with her family, who were heartbroken.

My observation, in this case, is how the family contributed to her happiness and warmth as she neared her death. I believe dying people should be surrounded by their loved ones during their last moments as it brings peace and hope that they had the best from the people they loved and tried to be with them but couldn’t. Therefore, I consider this death a peaceful one. However, if pain disqualifies a peaceful death, then I would conclude that the little girl did not have a peaceful death but a relief from her pain.

The only thing that went well was the acceptance of death from her family. However, the patient’s death needed corrective action. Within the last hours, the parents had decided to be with their daughter, as she was in pain. What could have been done was administer pain management medication to help the little girl transition. But since there are legal implications, it might have been a challenge as we were advised not to administer pain medications.

References

Berger, J. M., & Vadivelu, N. (2013). Common Misconceptions About Opioid Use For Pain Management At The End Of Life. AMA Journal of Ethics, 15(5), 403-409. https://doi:10.1001/virtualmentor.2013.15.5.ecas1-1305

Curtis, J. R., Wenrich, M. D., Carline, J. D., Shannon, S. E., Ambrozy, D. M., & Ramsey, P. G. (2001). Understanding Physicians’ Skills At Providing End‐Of‐Life Care: Perspectives Of Patients, Families, And Health Care Workers. Journal Of General Internal Medicine, 16(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.00333.x