Sample Nursing Observation Paper

1.0 INTRODUCTION

I propose to study the attitude, knowledge and experiences of nurses on prioritizing comfort measures in care of the dying patient in an acute hospital setting. I am particularly interested in this field as I worked in a hospice during semester break where palliative care of the dying concentrated on the quality of life of the patient. When the prognosis for the patient was imminent death, care was focused on reducing the severity of the disease symptoms rather than vainly trying to stop or delay development of the disease itself or provide a cure. When the prognosis for a patient is imminent death, hospice care concentrates on the quality of life of the patient, reducing the severity of the disease symptoms rather than
Part A of the questionnaire will use a Likert-type scale to gather data on the attitudes of nurseson the effect of comfort in care of the dying. The questionnaire will consist of positively and negatively worded statements with six different response options ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Positive statements are scored one to six (one for strongly agree through to six for strongly disagree) and scores are reversed for negative statements. The score for each item will be reported individually. Parts B and C will use a fill the box format and will gather data on the knowledge and experience of nurses on comfort care of the dying
I have administered prescribed drugs to a dying patient to control respiratory secretions.
10. I have administered prescribed drugs to a dying patient to control breathlessness. 11. I have been involved in cessation of artificial hydration for a dying patient.
12. I have been involved in cessation of artificial feeding for a dying patient.
13. I have dealt with nausea and vomiting episodes for a dying patient.
14. I have managed constipation problems for a dying patient.
15. I have inserted a urinary catheter to manage urine retention for a dying patient. 16. When caring for a dying patient I have been involved making the decision to cease routine care and focus on comfort care.
17. I have managed physical comfort measures for a dying patient with the provision of an air mattress.
18. I have discussed the prognosis of dying with a patient in the dying phase
19. I have acted as advocate for a dying patient when he/she needed their wishes to be heard regarding treatment.
20. I have negotiated a cessation of diagnostic interventions for a dying patient

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. I sincerely value the important contribution that you have made to knowledge development in this