Category: Medications
Medications used for symptom management or otherwise
Hospice is Comfort Care
I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to understand comfort and discomfort in hospice care. Let’s dive into these terms and how they relate to end-of-life care.
Read MoreHospice is Comfort CareUnderstanding Hospice Comfort Medications
Hospice comfort medications play a vital role in managing end-of-life symptoms. From morphine for pain and breathing difficulties to lorazepam for anxiety and restlessness, these medications are carefully administered to enhance quality of life while ensuring patient comfort and dignity.
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Comfort MedicationsUnderstanding PRN Medications for Comfort Care
Hey there, my friend! As an experienced hospice nurse, I understand that managing symptoms for comfort is crucial for terminally ill patients. One of the ways we do this is through PRN medications. Today, I want to help you understand PRN medications and how they can be used in conjunction with scheduled medications.
Read MoreUnderstanding PRN Medications for Comfort CareAir hunger management at end-of-life
I can count the times I’ve run into air hunger at the end of life as a visiting RN Case Manager for going on five years on one hand. Over the years, I’ve managed patients with pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancers (diverse types), breast cancer, COPD, congestive heart failure, B-cell lymphoma, leukemia, and other diseases that can impact one person’s ability to breathe correctly. Air hunger is rare in my firsthand experiences, but it can happen.
Air hunger often sounds like the person is gasping for breath without regard to the actual respiratory rate (how fast they are breathing); it can also sound like stridor (YouTube videos below where you can hear the difference).
Read MoreAir hunger management at end-of-lifeLiquifying Ativan pills for easier delivery
Ativan, generically called Lorazepam, pills can be easily melted into liquid, and given to your loved one in a syringe. This is typically done vs. putting the pill under the tongue if your loved one has a dry mouth, and the Ativan pills are not melting under the tongue.
The process of melting lorazepam into a liquid will require the following resources:
Read MoreLiquifying Ativan pills for easier deliveryCoughing Up Blood (hemoptysis) Symptom Management
Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, can be a distressing symptom for patients at the end of their life journey. As a hospice nurse, your expertise in managing this symptom is crucial in ensuring a peaceful and comfortable experience for your patients and their families.
Read MoreCoughing Up Blood (hemoptysis) Symptom ManagementBuccal vs Sublingual for Liquid Medications
Your dying patient has lost their gag reflex as part of the dying process. One of the questions I implore you to ask yourself is what’s the safest route to administer liquid medications? Well, before even going to answer this question, unless contraindicated, make sure the patient’s head of the bed is at least at a 30 to 45-degree angle (I prefer the latter).
The buccal route is the safest route to administer liquid medications at the end of life in my experience. In practice, I strongly encourage you as well as the families we mutually teach to give any liquid medications on the side of the mouth least likely to have spillage — this depends on the position of the patient — and slowly over time giving the medication in 0.25 ml increments allowing for the absorption of the medication switching cheeks as applicable.
Read MoreBuccal vs Sublingual for Liquid MedicationsUnderstanding Terminal Restlessness
Navigating the final days of a loved one's life can be a challenging and emotional journey. One of the signs that can be observed during this time is known as terminal restlessness. As someone deeply rooted in hospice care, I have witnessed various manifestations of this restlessness. Understanding its types, causes, and management strategies is crucial for providing compassionate end-of-life care. This article aims to illuminate the different kinds of terminal restlessness, identify reversible causes, and discuss effective management techniques. By equipping caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals with this knowledge, we can ensure that terminally ill individuals experience comfort and dignity in their final days.
Read MoreUnderstanding Terminal RestlessnessCommon Misconceptions about Morphine and End-of-Life Medications
Morphine is a crucial medication in end-of-life care, but it's often misunderstood. This article debunks common myths about morphine use in hospice, addressing concerns about addiction, hastening death, and sedation. Learn the truth about morphine's role in providing comfort and dignity for terminally ill patients.
Read MoreCommon Misconceptions about Morphine and End-of-Life Medications