Exam #2: Communication: Patients with Serious Illness Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Exam #2: Communication: Patients with Serious Illness Deck (13)
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1
Q

What are the steps to communicating serious news?

A

1) Prepare
2) Establish patient’s understanding
3) Determine how much the patient wants to know
4) Deliver the information
5) Respond to patient’s feelings
6) Ascertain patient’s understanding
7) Organize and plan follow-up

2
Q

What do you need to remember to do when you’re delivering bad news?

A

Need to deliver a “warning shot” e.g. “This is going to be a significant conversation…”

3
Q

How does the brain process threats to life?

A

“Flight or fight”

- Need to lets these moments pass so they can eventually take in cognitive information

4
Q

What is the most important skill for physicians that deliver bad news?

A

Must be able to detect and respond to the patient’s emotions

5
Q

What is the mnemonic used to acknowledge the patient’s emotions verbally?

A

NURSE

6
Q

What is the mnemonic used to acknowledge the patient’s emotions non-verbally?

A

SOLER

7
Q

What do you need to keep in mind about prognosis?

A

Ask the patient how they want to talk about prognosis

8
Q

What do higher levels of education correlate with?

A

Desire for more information

9
Q

What do higher levels of illness correlate with?

A

Wanting less information

10
Q

When asking people how to talk about prognosis, what are the three “options” that you can offer?

A
  • Details
  • Big picture
  • Not discuss
11
Q

Can a poor prognosis destroy hope?

A

Depends–need to tell the truth thoughtfully not bludgeon with it

12
Q

How do you transition from acute care to palliative care?

A

1) Prepare
2) Ensure the family understands the situation
3) Assess readiness to talk
4) Use big picture words to elicit values and goals
5) Outline worries
6) Make a recommendation
7) Request feedback

13
Q

What should you never say to a patient?

A

“There is nothing more I can do for you.”