The terminally-ill patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is in a hospice. He says to the nurse, “I know I will die soon. I would feel at peace knowing my organs and tissues will be able to help other people after I’m gone. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

“You will likely be able to donate your corneas so that others may see.”. In patients with chronic disease such as COPD, the corneas may be the only part of the body that can be donated. Although it may be true that the patient has adoring children and grandchildren, this does not address the patient’s concerns. The nurse should be supportive of the patient’s decision to be an organ donor but telling the patient he is leaving behind a legacy for being an organ donor does not appropriately address the patient’s concerns. The patient’s liver, intestines, and pancreas are unlikely to be viable due to the patient’s chronic disease.

The terminally-ill patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary dis...

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Psychosocial Integrity
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Category: Psychosocial Integrity
Difficulty: 5

Topics: End of Life Issues Respiratory

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