Breaking the news gently

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  1. This is a discussion on Breaking the news gently in Oncology Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... I have been an oncolgy nurse for 2 years. My dilemma: doctor breaks the news to patient and or...

    by Oct 1, '11
    I have been an oncolgy nurse for 2 years. My dilemma: doctor breaks the news to patient and or family about poor prognosis or informs them that the best option would be DNR status. Family/patient insists that everything be done to "be cured" when unfortunately that is not an option. How do you gently break the news that in all reality it's time to let go and that there is nothing more to be done?
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    by jalarcrn Oct 1, '11 12:53 pm
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  4. Oct 1, '11 by
    I don't think it's good to beat about the bush. Let the patient and family know that at this point treatment options are exhausted and now we need to look at what can be done to make the time remaining optimal. Discuss what hospice can do to ensure this. Let the patient know you're not giving up on him/her, it's just that the focus of treatment needs to change.