The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example

The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example: Part 1 (Self)

Knowing one is about to die and leaving loved ones behind is not an easy task. If I had

been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 77 and had a short life span of living, I surely would not

want to spend my last days at the hospital.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example) I want to continue to live my days outdoors, breathing

in the fresh air and spending my last days with loved ones. I would notify everyone around me,

so my death isn’t a scare. Regarding everything else, I would let the living take care of the

ceremonies. Ceremonies play tribute to the dead, but they are for the living so that the living can

find peace in death.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Cultural background influences how people celebrate and mourn for their loved ones who

are no longer with them (Santrock, 2019). I have only been to one funeral, and all I remember

was that it was an open casket, and I got to kiss my grandmother goodbye. There was no music,

and everyone wore black to express their sadness for their loss. I remember it being silent with a

few condolence words from the preacher. The day after, everyone walked with the casket to the

grave site where my grandmother would be placed. This walk felt like a last spiritual walk with

my grandmother. Another process to indicate that the person is no longer here with us. There are

many ways to honor the dead, and everyone does so differently depending on their background

(Santrock, 2019). From what I have experienced, funerals are a time to express all the sorrows

and say goodbye.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

I grew up in a household that believes in God and the afterlife. Having faith helped my

family to go through the grieving stage. When people assume that the end isn’t the end, that there

is something better waiting, it allows us to move on. Most Americans also believe that when the

body dies, the spiritual body lives on (Santrock, 2019). People need reassurance that someday

they will reunite with their loved ones. When people believe in religion, it is not a goodbye but

an “I will see you again” (Santrock, 2019). Because spirituality is essential in our family, we feel

like we can talk to our loved ones at any time, and they will get the message.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

If I knew I would have limited time left, I would not want to waste it or fight the inevitable in a

hospital bed. I would take that time to travel anywhere I had not seen, a dish I had never eaten,

and most importantly, be with family. I would let my family know of my remaining time on

earth, so they could accept it. It is also essential for the family to have the opportunity to express

and experience life with me, so there are no regrets. I would love for my family to speak openly

and say anything they must to live without regrets. Death should not be a reminder of regrets for

unspoken words. Having a home hospice nurse, one whose training skills is to help the dying to

be comfortable in their own home, rather than being stuck in a hospital with machines attached

to them, is ideal (Santrock, 2019).(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Being brought up in such a spiritual environment will put me at ease in facing death. I

will cherish every moment remaining in life. My funeral is not about me, but rather it’s about

those I am leaving behind. A religious ceremony is a time for the living to say their goodbyes and

realize that the dead are no longer on this earth. When I am gone, I would like to be celebrated or

grieved however the individual sees fit. It is up to the living, whether it is with music and

laughter or if they choose to grieve in silence. Everyone expresses grief differently (Santrock,

2019), and I shall let them. My only wish is for no one to wear black as I love pastel colors.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

The Needs of a Dying Patient: Part 2 (Patient)

A 77-year-old patient has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and does not want to

discuss matters of the end of life. She is used to being independent and dealing with problems

independently; she does not want to burden her family with her troubles. (The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)The patient fails to

realize that she is causing her family more stress even though that is not her intention. It is

essential to let the patient know that having conversations about death, increased thinking, and an

increased sense of integrity resulting from a positive life review may help her accept death

(Santrock, 2019).(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Patients need to feel respected and have autonomy in what they want in their treatment

(Santrock, 2019). However, there are times when medical professionals can interfere if they feel

the patient’s actions are not in their best interest. I feel it would be my duty to shed some light on

the situation and hope the patient can widen her perspective. Since the patient likes being

independent, we must not take that away from her, but we can insinuate that by neglecting the

conversations about what she wants, her family members will not know what to do. We must

make her realize that her family is essential and that they will suffer emotionally if they cannot

accomplish her last wishes. Not communicating her wishes to her family will cause them to feel

burdensome and feel they did not do enough.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

It is crucial to open the patient eyes and let her see that her family will be in regret when she

dies. The patient should know that ceremonies are not just the dead’s last wish, although that is

very important, it is a time for family members to feel the completed those wishes (Santrock,

2019). Ceremonies allow family members to accept and say goodbye to does who are no longer

alive. There is also the possibility that the patient might not be fully aware of her condition.

Patients can misunderstand their prognosis and often feel like their chance of survival or life

expectancy is longer than what is true (Stacey, C. L., 2019). Research has shown a problem with

doctor-patient interaction relating to the affair of death. Patients do not entirely understand their

situations, while doctors may not deliver the news in an effective understanding way (Stacey, C.

L., 2019). The patient must understand that this is her chance to get her affairs in order because

she is dying. Since nurses play a significant role in interacting with the patients, nurses are

considered a support system (Chua, J. Y. X., & Shorey, S.,2021).(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Patients involved in advanced care planning determine their preference for end-of-life

care (Santrock, 2019). Because the patient is independent, it is essential to let her feel like she

still is; medical professionals and family members should listen to their patient’s requests and

needs. It is crucial that the patient feel like she is leading her death rather than being a burden.

The patient should feel like they can dictate the end of their life; this might help her feel

empowered. The patient should know that when the time comes, she has the choice to die or live

in a vegetative state if she chooses to be resuscitated (Santrock, 2019). The patient needs to

understand that by not expressing her wishes correctly, her children might make the wrong

decisions that are not what she wants. For example, her children might want to resuscitate her no

matter what, but what if the patient does not want to be bedridden for whatever time they have

left.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Research has shown that many nurses neglect the dying patient; they limit their time spent

with them and do not speak to the family and patient about the condition (Chua, J. Y. X., &

Shorey, S.,2021). (The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)A patient who receives proper support can feel less anxious, have less pain and

have a more manageable dying process (Chua, J. Y. X., & Shorey, S.,2021). It is difficult to tell

patients what to and not to do with their lives as they have that right. However, the patient is

being negligent, and, in these circumstances, medical professionals should help the patient

understand that in being negligent it is only making everything more complicated (Santrock,

2019). Physical comfort, support from loved ones, acceptance, and appropriate medical care are

considered a “good death” this is what health care providers are interested in helping does dying

experience (Santrock, 2019)(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

References

Chua, J. Y. X., & Shorey, S. (2021). Effectiveness of end-of-life educational

interventions at improving nurses and nursing students’ attitude toward death

and care of dying patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nurse

Education Today, 101, 104892–104892.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104892

Santrock, J. (2019). Life-Span Development (17th edition). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

Education.(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Stacey, C. L., Pai, M., Novisky, M. A., & Radwany, S. M. (2019). Revisiting

“awareness contexts” in the 21st century hospital: How fragmented and

specialized care shape patients’ Awareness of Dying.Social Science & Medicine

(1982), 220, p. 212–218(The Needs of a Dying Patient Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)