Despite advancements in patient care, unnecessary tests and interventions at the end of life are still common. Invasive procedures, like dialysis, bloodwork, and imaging, can cause discomfort and impose on patients, often misaligning with their wishes. In these situations, nurses should advocate for their patients by questioning the necessity of such diagnostic procedures, ensuring that the patient’s preferences and quality of life are prioritized.
Sources:
Cardona-Morrell, M., Kim, J., Turner, R. M., Anstey, M., Mitchell, I. A., & Hillman, K. (2016). Non-beneficial treatments in hospital at the end of life: a systematic review on extent of the problem. International journal for quality in health care: journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, 28(4), 456–469. PMID: 27353273.
Kass, J. S., Lewis, A., & Rubin, M. A. (2018). Ethical Considerations in End-of-life Care in the Face of Clinical Futility. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 24(6), 1789–1793. PMID: 30516606.
McCormack, R., Sui, J., Conroy, M., & Stodart, J. (2011). The usefulness of phlebotomy in the palliative care setting. Journal of palliative medicine, 14(3), 297–299. PMID: 21265635.