end of life vocab

advance care planning

A process by which patients and families discuss end-of-life care, clarifying values and goals and then expressing those goals in an advance directive.

advance directive (AD)

A written document prepared by a competent person to specify what, if any, extraordinary actions the person would want when no longer able to make decisions about personal health care.

bereavement

Grief and mourning experienced by survivors before and after a death.

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Common sign of nearing death in which apnea alternates with periods of rapid breathing.

death

When illness or trauma overwhelms the compensatory mechanisms of the body and the lungs and heart cease to function.

death rattle

Loud, wet respirations caused by secretions in the respiratory tract and oral cavity of a patient who is near death.

do-not-resuscitate (DNR)

Order from physician or other authorized primary health care provider, which instructs that cardiopulmonary resuscitation not be attempted in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

durable power of attorney for health care (DPOAHC)

A legal document in which a person appoints someone else to make health care decisions in the event that person becomes incapable of making decisions.

grief

The emotional feeling related to the perception of the loss.

hospice

An interprofessional approach to facilitate quality of life and a “good” death for patients near the end of their lives, with care provided in a variety of settings.

life review

A structured process of reflecting on one’s life that is often facilitated by an interviewer.

living will

A legal document that instructs health care providers and family members about what life-sustaining treatment is wanted (or not wanted) if the patient becomes unable to make decisions.

mourning

The outward social expression of loss.

palliative care

A compassionate and supportive approach to patients and families who are living with life-threatening illnesses; involves a holistic approach that provides relief of symptoms experienced by the dying patient.

palliative sedation

A care management approach involving the administration of drugs such as benzodiazepines for the purpose of decreasing suffering by lowering patient consciousness.

peaceful death

A death that is free from avoidable distress and suffering for patients and families, in agreement with patients’ and families’ wishes, and consistent with clinical practice standards.

presence

A type of communication that consists of listening and acknowledging the legitimacy of the patient’s and/or family’s impending loss and pain.

religions

Formal belief systems that provide a framework for making sense of life, death, and suffering and responding to universal spiritual questions.

reminiscence

The process of randomly reflecting on memories of events in one’s life.

voluntary active euthanasia (VAE)

voluntary active euthanasia implies that primary health care providers take action (e.g., give medication or treatment) that purposefully and directly causes the patient’s death.