Comfort measures, what can I do?

JDZ344 · Mar 1, 2011

What kind of setting are you in? Home health or LTC?

rosey2007 · Mar 1, 2011

Maybe play some soft music or do whatever will make the patient the most comfortable. They might like it if you read to them or just hold there hand and be there for them. When the family comes in to visit I tend to let them be unless asked to do something.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 1, 2011

Thank you. I work in LTC.

CoffeemateCNA · Mar 1, 2011

You mentioned her saying she is cold. Does your facility own a blanket warmer? If so, I would make sure to keep it well stocked and give her one every hour or two. If you don't have one, you can get a makeshift one by putting blankets on or near the air vents with the heat turned on (just don't let maintenance catch you doing this - it drives up the electric bills!). You can make a heated blanket last longer but putting it on the bottom-most layer of covers by the resident - the top layers will help to trap the heat in. Just make sure it's not hot enough to burn.

CoffeemateCNA · Mar 1, 2011

Ditto about the music. If the resident is still verbal, ask her what kind of music she likes. You can probably get some of her favorite albums at a public library for free. On occasion, I've even gone out and bought a few just for them. Radio stations aren't the best choices because of the commercials and other interruptions. If she is nonverbal or is unable to answer your questions, the information can occasionally be found in the social history in the chart, depending on how thorough your facility is with collecting information (and if you're not allowed to look at charts, you could ask a nurse to look for you).

allnurses Guide · Mar 1, 2011

Keep their mouths swabbed and moist!

They mouth-breathe and the oral mucosa becomes soooo dry.

Good skin care... warm some lotion and use it!

Do NOT force food or drink! Their bodies are shutting down. I know some may think "getting a little something in" is making them more comfortable, but you have to consider they don't want it for a reason.

The last one is a peeve of mine. Families are the most guilty. They seem to think if they could just feed Mom, she will be more comfortable, feel better or be miraculously cured, even.

With a GI tract that is functioning at near zero... food and drink are unwanted and useless.

Sorry, it's my peeve! :)

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 1, 2011

Keeps the lights fairly low, reposition often and with lots of pillows, frequent warm lotion, and tons of mouth care and chapstick. You can hold or massage her hands and lightly brush her hair too. I like to change the gown and linens a lot if the person is sweating, and cool washcloths on the forehead are good for that too. Since your lady is complaining she is cold, I would pile on the blankets and roll up warm towels for her feet. And it always bugs me when someone is dying and their linens are a mess or the room is untidy. I don't *love* that in alive-and-well people either, but with dying people I make sure everything is perfect.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 2, 2011

Excellent responses, you guys, I appreciate it so much!!

She is so weak that she won't suck through a straw, so the nurse gave use some syringes to use. I hadn't thought of chapstick, but that is a really good idea! Her lips are terribly dry. I will turn on some music for her tomorrow, though she is constantly sleeping.

I'm considering working in hospice now. :)

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Excellent responses, you guys, I appreciate it so much!!
She is so weak that she won't suck through a straw, so the nurse gave use some syringes to use. I hadn't thought of chapstick, but that is a really good idea! Her lips are terribly dry. I will turn on some music for her tomorrow, though she is constantly sleeping.
I'm considering working in hospice now. :)

I am too! I started @ a big facility recently that has a dialysis center, nursing home, assisted living facility and an outpatient ER on its premesis. Soon they will b opening a hospice facility too..I've worked with a lot of residents over the past two yrs who have been on hospice & I've been debating for some time whether to work in that area.