When caring for a terminally ill client, it is important for the nurse to maintain the client’s dignity. This can be facilitated by:
A. Spending time to let clients share their life experiences.
B. Decreasing emphasis on attending to the client’s appearance because it only increases their fatigue.
C. Making decisions for clients so they do not have to make them.
D. Placing the client in a private room to provide privacy at all times.
Correct Answer: A. Spending time to let clients share their life experiences.
Spending time to let clients share their life experiences enables the nurse to know clients better. Knowing clients then facilitates the choice of therapies that promote client decision-making and autonomy, thus promoting a client’s self-esteem and dignity. Regarding emotional needs, a review found that important actions for healthcare professionals providing end-of-life care include communicating, listening, conveying empathy, and involving patients in decision-making. Furthermore, good communication between the patient and their partner about their feelings should be promoted.
Option B: Regarding physical needs, when trying to enhance and preserve dignity, a systematic review found that symptom control and being placed in the correct environment are important in delivering dignified end-of-life care 5. Good management of physical symptoms such as pain, dyspnoea, constipation, nausea, and respiratory secretions may allow for opportunities to work through unfinished emotional, psychological, and spiritual issues, and promote a sense of closure towards the end of life.
Option C: Dignity can be upheld by measures such as symptom control 5; promoting independence, privacy, social support, and a positive tone of care; listening, giving appropriate information, having a caring bedside manner; and showing respect, empathy and companionship. Spiritual care has been shown to be facilitated by having sufficient time, employing effective communication, and reflecting on one’s personal experiences.
Option D: Other measures found to promote dignity include enabling the management of finances, facilitating activities such as reading or watching television, allowing the patient to spend time with their family, providing choices regarding the place of death, remembering the dignity of the family after the death of the individual, and offering emotional support.