palliative/ethics

Question 1

examples of treatments that may be withdrawn or not started in palliative care

Answer 1

• antibiotics for infection
• CPR
• renal dialysis
• artificial nutrition/hydration
• mechanical ventilation

Question 2

examples of different teams in palliative care

Answer 2

GP, care home, pharmacy, hospice, ambulance, hospitals, palliative nurses, IMCA, social services, district nurse, occupational therapist

Question 3

definition of end of life care

Answer 3

• care provided when patient is in last 12 months of life
• physical, social, psychological, spiritual
• to patient, family, friends
• due to advanced/progressive/incurable condition, general frailty, sudden acute, life

Question 4

definition of palliative care

Answer 4

an approach that improves the QoL of patients, friends and family facing the problems associated with life threatening illness through prevention and relief or suffering by means of an early identification

Question 5

positives of palliative care

Answer 5

improve QoL
reduce symptoms
help family
reduce distress
reduce admissions

Question 6

what is an off licences medication

Answer 6

a licensed medication which is used for different applications, must explain why, document and get consent

Question 7

difficulties in palliative care

Answer 7

multiple illness
iatrogenic reactions
elderly patients
adherence issues

Question 8

routes of drug administration

Answer 8

oral, IM, SC, IV, rectal, buccal, sublingual, transdermal, inhaled, spinal

Question 9

positives and negative of medications being readily available in palliative care

Answer 9

positives

• quick symptom relief
• encourages conversations about goal of treatment, potential side effects, prognosis
• reduces hospital admissions/GP visit
• encourages a death a home
• provides reassurance

negatives

• can be in community for long time
• may not be used
• can be used by others
• may give medications at wrong time