Anticipated Physician Orders in Palliative Care for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Managing Symptoms and Improving Quality of Life

A palliative care order is written by the physician for a patient with pancreatic cancer. Which of the following physician orders can the nurse anticipate?- Decrease the administration of benzodiazepines- Increase the administration of pain medications- Decrease oxygen administration- Decrease the dose of Albuterol

In the case of a patient with pancreatic cancer receiving palliative care, the physician may write various orders to address the patient’s specific needs and improve their quality of life

In the case of a patient with pancreatic cancer receiving palliative care, the physician may write various orders to address the patient’s specific needs and improve their quality of life. Let’s examine each option and determine which physician orders the nurse can anticipate:

1. Decrease the administration of benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines are a class of medications commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. However, in palliative care for pancreatic cancer, the focus is on managing symptoms related to the terminal illness. Therefore, the physician may decide to decrease the administration of benzodiazepines as they might not be necessary or may potentially cause unwanted side effects. Thus, the nurse can anticipate this order.

2. Increase the administration of pain medications:
Pain management is a crucial aspect of palliative care for patients with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer can cause severe pain due to tumor growth, inflammation, or nerve involvement. Therefore, it is likely that the physician will order an increase in pain medications to ensure the patient’s comfort and relieve their suffering. Thus, the nurse can anticipate this order.

3. Decrease oxygen administration:
Pancreatic cancer primarily affects the pancreas, which is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and regulating blood sugar levels. Unlike some other cancers, pancreatic cancer typically does not manifest with respiratory symptoms or compromise lung function directly. Therefore, it is less likely that the physician will order a decrease in oxygen administration unless there are additional underlying respiratory issues. Consequently, the nurse may not anticipate this order, as it is not directly related to palliative care for pancreatic cancer.

4. Decrease the dose of Albuterol:
Albuterol is a bronchodilator commonly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unless the patient has a coexisting diagnosis of asthma or COPD, it is unlikely that they would be prescribed Albuterol in the context of pancreatic cancer and palliative care. Therefore, the nurse may not anticipate this order.

To summarize, the nurse can anticipate the physician orders to decrease the administration of benzodiazepines and increase the administration of pain medications in a patient with pancreatic cancer receiving palliative care.

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