title: Ethical guidelines for assisting patients with end-of-life decision making.
abstract: The medical-surgical nurse must be prepared to care for patients at the end of life as they face a multitude of complex issues surrounding physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. End-of-life care must not only control symptoms, but also address the social, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient. By using a decision framework, the nurse will be better prepared to assist patients in exploring options for end-of-life care.
authors.affiliation: Telemetry Unit, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Bon Secours Health System, Newport News, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bialk
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000941:ethics*; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics*