What are the terms that are associated with palliative health care?
There are a few terms that are associated with palliative health care and it is good enough for the patient and the caregiver to know of:
- Acute pain is a sudden onset of pain that can come and go and is a sign of the disease. The acute pain can only be treated and stopped once the underlying and hidden problem of the disease is addressed.
- Advanced directive is also called the living will and lets one write down one’s wishes about the medical care that one would like to receive when one is not able to speak or communicate ones wishes. This could be written or verbal
- Anticipatory grief deals with the knowing that the person is dying and the necessary changes and arrangements that need to be made around that
- Artificial nutrition is getting nutrition in any other form rather than by eating it
- The attending physician is the primary physician in charge of the case and the patient. This is predominantly for billing purposes.
- Cardio pulmonary resuscitation is when the patient’s heart stops beating and the patient is revived using artificial means such as an electric shock.
- Cheyne stokes breathing refers to irregular breathing that may be between fast and slow and also be linked with sleep apnea.
- DABDA is the five stage approach to coping with death which includes denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
- A trust is made to take care of the financials and the legacy of the person. This will also include the expenditure needed for the funeral.
- Dyspnea is defined as abnormal breathing and usually refers to the uncomfortable feeling of breathlessness.
- Do Not Resuscitate, or a DNR, is a physician's order not to attempt CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if a patient's heart or breathing stops. The order is written at the request of the patient or family but it must be signed by a physician to be valid.
- Voluntary Euthanasia refers to the action taken by the physician and the patient, who both agree (with informed consent) to end the patient's life.
- Intubation is the insertion of a tube through the mouth or the nose and into a patient's lungs to help them breathe
- Gastronomy tube, or G tube, is a tube that is placed directly into the stomach for long term administration of food, fluids, and medications
- Inurnment is the process of placing cremated remains in an urn.
- Palliative sedation is the use of sedative medications in increasing doses to achieve a desired level of sedation as a means to relieve suffering.
- A power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint a person to handle your affairs if you become unable to do so yourself.
- Respite is defined as a temporary rest period. Respite care is a temporary break for caregivers of the ill or disabled.
- Resuscitation is a protocol used when a patient stops breathing or his heart stops beating. It can involve providing ventilation, administering fluids and medications in an IV, chest compressions, and/or electrical shocks.
- Terminal restlessness is a common symptom at the end of life. Symptoms may include inability to relax, picking at clothing or sheets, confusion and agitation, and trying to climb out of bed.
- Total parentarel nutrition (TPN)is an intravenous feeding that provides nutrition and fluids for someone who cannot take in foods and fluid orally.
Knowing of these terms and being aware of what they mean will certainly help one to be able to deal with palliative health care.
Palliative Health Care