Fundamentals of Palliative Care for Student Nurses: (Fundamentals)

Fundamentals of Palliative Care for Student Nurses is a thorough yet accessible introduction and overview of a key area of the nursing programme. This textbook clearly explains the palliation of symptoms and the social context of death and dying. Engaging with the latest guidelines and curriculum, it highlights the practical and communicative skills required for induction programmes and continuing professional development. KEY FEATURES: A full-colour, student-friendly, introduction to the essentials of palliative, or end of life care A topical and timely subject area, explored clearly and concisely Full of interactive pedagogy and features, including quizzes, multiple choice questions, vignettes/case studies and activities Features a companion website with links to further reading, additional activities and resources, and self-testing interactive multiple choice questions Fundamentals of Palliative Care for Student Nurses  focuses on this area with expert knowledge and compassion, preparing students in order to help them provide the best possible care for their patients and their families.

Table of Contents:
About the series xi The Authors xii Acknowledgements xiii Preface xiv About the companion website xv Section I The principles of palliative care 1 Chapter 1 The development of palliative care 3 Introduction 3 What is palliative care? 4 Where is palliative care provided? 8 Widening access 9 Influential documents and strategies 11 Conclusion 14 Chapter 2 Holistic care in palliative care 16 Introduction 16 Total pain 17 Holism 17 Holistic care 18 Spirituality 21 Quality of life 26 Conclusion 27 Chapter 3 Team working 31 Introduction 31 What is a team? 32 Why is interprofessional team work important in palliative care? 33 What makes a team work well? 41 What stops a team from working well? 44 Conclusion 46 Chapter 4 Legal principles in palliative care 48 Introduction 48 Identification of legal issues surrounding the provision of palliative care 49 Consent 50 Best interests 55 Withholding and withdrawing treatment 56 Do not resuscitate orders (DNR) 57 Euthanasia and assisted suicide 57 Verification of death 60 Conclusion 61 Chapter 5 Ethical principles in palliative care 63 Introduction 63 The meaning of ethics 64 Ethical theories 70 Euthanasia 75 Conclusion 76 Section II The practice of palliative care 79 Chapter 6 Communication in palliative care 81 Introduction 81 The importance of communication in palliative care 83 Communication theory 84 The importance of self-awareness in good communication 86 Key communication skills 87 Enablers of and barriers to good communication 91 Influencing factors 92 Communicating with groups who have particular needs 94 Conclusion 95 Chapter 7 Pain management and nursing care 98 Introduction 98 Pain 99 Pain assessment 101 Principles of pain management 106 Non-pharmacological approaches to pain relief 110 Conclusion 111 Chapter 8 Management and nursing care of gastro-intestinal symptoms 116 Introduction 116 Nausea and vomiting 117 Assessment 118 Management of nausea and vomiting 120 Nursing care 122 Malignant bowel obstruction 123 Constipation 124 Cachexia 126 Other gastrointestinal symptoms 127 Conclusion 128 Chapter 9 Management and nursing care of breathlessness and fatigue 133 Introduction 133 Breathlessness 134 Assessment of breathlessness 135 Pharmacological Management of breathlessness 135 Nursing management 137 Fatigue 138 Assessment 139 Management of fatigue 140 Nursing care 140 Conclusion 141 Chapter 10 Management and nursing care of psychological symptoms 145 Introduction 145 Psychological concerns 147 Depression and Anxiety 148 Management and treatment of anxiety and depression 153 Sexuality 154 Assessing sexuality 156 Psychological care 159 Conclusion 162 Chapter 11 Caring for the family 169 Introduction 169 Defining the family 170 Role of the family in care giving 172 Effects of caring on the family 173 The needs of carers 176 Communicating with the family 179 Conclusion 180 Chapter 12 Palliative care emergencies 184 Introduction 184 Palliative care emergencies 185 Spinal cord compression 185 Superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO) 188 Hypercalcaemia 189 Conclusion 191 Chapter 13 Nursing care at end of life 195 Introduction 195 Recognising that a patient is dying 196 End of life care 196 Physical nursing care for the dying patient 198 Bronchial secretions ( ‘death rattle’ ) 201 Terminal restlessness 201 The syringe driver 203 Being with a dying patient 204 Nurse’s role after death 205 Conclusion 207 Chapter 14 Loss grief and bereavement 212 Introduction 212 Coping With Loss 213 Common emotional responses to loss 215 Bereavement theories 216 Helping the bereaved 219 Conclusion 223 Section III Personal and professional development in palliative care 229 Chapter 15 Looking after yourself 231 Introduction 231 What is stress and why do we need to know about it? 232 Some of the reasons nursing is stressful 236 Effects of stress 237 Coping strategies 237 Managing your stress 241 Conclusion 244 Chapter 16 Professional support 247 Introduction 247 Key people 248 Clinical supervision 250 Conclusion 258 Chapter 17 Learning from your practice through reflection 261 Introduction 261 Types of reflection 263 Why use reflective practice? 265 Starting your reflective practice 266 Conclusion 272 Index 275

About the Author :
Megan Rosser is Director for CPD/Non Professional Undergraduate Programmes at Swansea University. She is an established palliative care practitioner and educationalist, with previous oncology training and experience. She is experienced in the provision of palliative nursing care in primary and secondary health care settings. Helen C. Walsh is Tutor in Nursing at Swansea University. This involves teaching and its associated activities for students on a range of levels from health care support workers, pre and post registration and Masters. The majority of her teaching relates to palliative care and its associated subjects.