Question
The client who is terminally ill has unrelieved and intractable pain. The nurse is administering hydromorphone intravenously. The client states, "I want you to give me additional medication so I will die. I cannot go on any longer." What action would the nurse take?
State, "This is not something I or any of the nurses can do." Ignore the client's statement, and limit any contact with the client. Obtain additional medication from the automated medication system that would hasten the client's death. Contact the health care provider to request additional intravenous medication to honor the client's request.
State, "This is not something I or any of the nurses can do." Ignore the client's statement, and limit any contact with the client. Obtain additional medication from the automated medication system that would hasten the client's death. Contact the health care provider to request additional intravenous medication to honor the client's request.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In this situation, the most appropriate action for the nurse would be to **state, "This is not something I or any of the nurses can do."**
The nurse should acknowledge the client's pain and distress but cannot facilitate any action that would intentionally hasten death, as it goes against the ethical and legal standards of nursing practice. It is important for the nurse to have open, compassionate communication with the client about their feelings and pain, and to explore further options for pain management and palliative care. The nurse should also consider advocating for additional palliative support and discuss these feelings with the healthcare team to ensure the client's needs are being met effectively and ethically.
The nurse should acknowledge the client's pain and distress but cannot facilitate any action that would intentionally hasten death, as it goes against the ethical and legal standards of nursing practice. It is important for the nurse to have open, compassionate communication with the client about their feelings and pain, and to explore further options for pain management and palliative care. The nurse should also consider advocating for additional palliative support and discuss these feelings with the healthcare team to ensure the client's needs are being met effectively and ethically.