Case study 4 Alana’s husband and sons are now in her room. They are speaking ver
ID: 127628 • Letter: C
Question
Case study 4
Alana’s husband and sons are now in her room. They are speaking very loudly and crying. They insist that Mai ‘do something’ quickly. They direct their anger towards her. Mai listens patiently and speaks calmly. The doctor arrives accompanied by an interpreter. He suggests that Alana take a dose of morphine orally at regular intervals to help settle her pain and make her last hours comfortable Alana’s family are worried that increasing the dose of morphine will hasten Alana’s death. Shortly after, Alana’s breathing becomes irregular and Alana is not able to be roused. Alana’s husband notices that Alana’s legs are mottled and her finger feel cool to the touch. He requests that Alana be given more blankets. Although the family members know Alana is dying, it is still a shock when it happens. They are pleased that Alana’s wishes were respected. Alana’s family starts to wail, a traditional Italian expression of open grief. Mai had developed a caring relationship with Alana during her time caring for her. She is sad, as she thought Alana would have lived a little longer; however, she has often thought about death and dying and is comforted by her own beliefs. She follows the organisation’s protocols for maintaining Alana’s dignity after death and comforts Alana’s family members and makes sure her sadness doesn’t affect anyone else. The team leader is impressed by how Mai handles her grief, especially as she is a new worker. He asks Mai to prepare five helpful hints about handling personal grief, which the organisation can provide to new workers in the future.
When explaining that the doctor has ordered morphine as a pain-relief measure for Alana, her family become very upset and do not want this intervention. What should a support worker do in this instance?
Why is it important for Mai to regularly check that Alana’s care plan has been updated?
Support is very important for all of the palliative care team. Mai recognises that Alana’s family requires more support and information regarding the increased need for pain relief. Which member of the team should explain the reason for the increased pain-relief medication to Alana’s family?
Identify two ways that Mai can provide dignity for Alana at end of life or following death.
What signs is Alana exhibiting that Mai might recognise as signs of impending death?
How can Mai provide emotional support to Alana’s family, carers and/or significant others after her death?
With whom should Mai raise any concerns or ethical issues?
What self-care strategies could Mai employ to address potential impacts of personal responses on themselves?
Explanation / Answer
The casestudy narrate the pain of Alana receiving palliative care.
1.a The doctor has ordered morphine as a pain-relief measure for Alana, her family become very upset and do not want this intervention. As a member of health team and support worker Mai Should communicate the family members that Pain management is a part of palliative care and it is been given according to the belief of Alana about a peaceful and comfortable death.
1.b. It is important for Mai to regularly check that Alana’s care plan has been updated because she is a client receiving palliative care. Even a small error or forgetfulness will affect the caring process of Alana and becomes an ethically issue.
1.c.Mai recognises that Alana’s family requires more support and information regarding the increased need for pain relief because Alana’s family are worried that increasing the dose of morphine will hasten Alana’s death.
1.d It is the physician as member of health team should explain the reason for the increased pain-relief medication to Alana’s family.
1.e Mai can provide dignity for Alana at end of life or following death by following the organisation’s protocols and makes sure her sadness doesn’t affect anyone else in the family.
1.f. The signs recognised by Mai as signs of impending death of Alana are irregular breathing , not able to be roused , legs are mottled and her finger are cool to touch.
1.g Mai can provide emotional support to Alana’s family, carers and/or significant others after her death by making them understand that death is a part of everyone who is born and allowing them to undergo the process of grief - denial,anger,bargaining,depression,acceptance.
1.h. Mai can raise concerns towards the family members of Alana to cope with grieving process.