Nina the New Nurse just admitted a client with end-stage lung cancer who is no longer responsive. What is the best nursing action for Nina the New Nurse to take to determine the level of treatment and plan of care for this client?
Explanation
Answer: D - Since the client is not able to discuss end-of-life decisions (i.e., client is no longer responsive), Nina the New Nurse should assess what the client’s wishes are by first determining if the client completed an advance directive or living will. The existence of a living will or advance directive will advise Nina the New Nurse and the medical care team of the client’s pre-determined health care decisions, completed in the event the client was unable to speak for him- or herself. In the absence of an advance directive, Nina the New Nurse might need to question the family, realizing, of course, that she is asking for the family’s wishes and, and not the client’s.
