What can nurses do in the end-of-life care scenario?

In the context of end-of-life care, assessing vital signs is a critical responsibility for nurses. Nurses are trained to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate, which helps gauge the patient's condition and inform care decisions. This assessment is essential for understanding the physiological changes that occur as a patient approaches death and can aid in providing appropriate interventions or comfort measures.

Providing emotional support is also a significant aspect of end-of-life care, as nurses play a vital role in helping not only the patient but also their families cope with the emotional challenges associated with dying and grief. However, the assessment of vital signs directly impacts clinical care and monitoring throughout the dying process.

While pronouncing death and signing the death certificate may be duties ascribed to certain healthcare professionals, they are not typically within the scope of practice for nurses in most settings. Instead, nurses focus on assessments, which guide interventions and communications with the healthcare team about the patient’s condition.