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UNIT-SEVENTEEN: CARE OF THE DYING AND DIED BODY
Objectives: At the end of the unit the trainees will be able to:
1. Give appropriate nursing care for the terminally ill patient
2. Meet the need of the terminally ill client
3. Give appropriate care for the dead body

17.1 Give care for the terminally ill patient
Definition: A patient needs intensive physical and emotional support as he approaches
death.
Purpose
• To provide personal hygiene
• To provide spiritual support
• To support the family

Equipment
1. Clean bed linens, clean gowns, gloves
2. Water-filled basin
3. Soap and washcloth
4. Towels, lotion, linen-saver pads
5. Lemon-glycerin swabs
6. Petroleum jelly
7. Suction and resuscitation equipment, as necessary
8. Optional: indwelling urinary catheter.

Procedures
1. Introduce self and verify the client's identity.
2. Explain the procedure to the client
3. Gather appropriate equipment.

Meeting physical needs
4. Take vital signs often, and observe derangements
5. Reposition the patient in bed at least every 2 hours.
6. When the patient's vision and hearing start to fail, turn his head toward the light and
speak to him from near the head of the bed.
7. Change the bed linens and the patient's gown as needed.
8. Provide skincare during gown changes, and adjust the room temperature for patient
comfort if necessary.
9. Observe for incontinence or anuria. If necessary, obtain an order to catheterize the
patient, or place linen saver pads beneath the patient's buttocks.

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