Mention important roles of the nurse while providing quality end -of-life care to seriously ill persons and their families.

Community nursing – week 15 – palliative and end-of-life care

The nurses play a vital role in providing end-of life care for seriously ill patients and their family members. They provide comfort and support to those in a time of difficulty.

The nurse’s primary role is to provide assessment and physical care for the patient, but they also provide emotional care for the family members as well. Nurses assess pain and discomfort levels, as well as spiritual distress and anxiety. They monitor changes and progress, collaborate with the rest of the team in order to provide appropriate interventions, develop care plans that are based on patient goals, and educate patients about medications, nutrition, treatments and other aspects.

They may also be asked to help patients make decisions about treatments and interventions like cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dialysis, or chemotherapy. This is done by helping them understand the risks and benefits of these therapies. They may need to help families explore advance directives such as ‘do not resuscitate orders’ (DNR) or hospice services if appropriate.

Nurses must be ready to support end-of life conversations, and initiate discussions with patients and their families about prognosis as well as treatment options such palliative care or hospice care if indicated. These talks can be uncomfortable at times, but it’s essential that patients have access to accurate information about their illness so they can make informed decisions regarding their health care needs. The nurses should create an environment where patients can ask questions without feeling judged or punished. This will allow sensitive issues to be addressed openly by all those involved with the care plan.

The nurses should be able to identify when the situation is too emotional for themselves, or for any other member of the staff. They can then take necessary self-care measures such as debriefing with their colleagues. In order for nurses effectively serve patients at end-of life stages it is important that we acknowledge our own feelings related caring for those who are dying so we remain compassionate clinicians who could give them best possible comfort&support during this trying phase.