end of life care education case scenario 3 end of life care webinar module 1

End of Life Care Education

Case Scenario 3

End of Life Care Webinar

MODULE 1

Case Scenario 3 (Part 1 of 5)

68 year old male, metastatic lung cancer with bilateral pulmonary nodules, chest wall involvement and liver metastasis.

Has already completed chemo radiotherapy. No further disease modifying treatment planned/relevant.

Reports right sided pleuritic chest pain 8/10 somatic nociceptive, with resting dyspnea and cough

SpO2 91% on room air, HR 122/min, ECOG 4, Pallor present

Chest bilaterally decreased air entry with no adventitious sounds

Routine bloods: Hb 8.9gm% TLC Normal, Metabolic workup unremarkable, CXR bilateral lung nodules, no clinical evidence of pleural effusion or lower respiratory tract infection


Prognosticated survival days to shorter weeks (based on ECOG, PPS)

Goals of care were discussed with the wife and 2 sons – Futility of invasive medical interventions discussed. Patient was aware of diagnosis and prognosis. No collusion existed in the family

Family decided to continue his medical care in the ward. Agreed for “allowing natural death” and explicitly expressed “NO” for any life prolonging interventions

Oral Morphine 10mg Q4H was started for pain along with other supportive care measures.

One of patient’s son who is a medical practitioner expressed concerns about using Morphine in presence of dyspnea – These concerns were clarified and addressed.

Discussion points

Prognostication

Discussion and decision making on goals of care

Transition to palliative approach/avoiding ICU admission

Good symptom control approach

Using Morphine/Strong analgesics for pain control

Using Morphine for dyspnea (Benefits/Justification/Evidence)


Pain and dyspnea were poorly controlled with oral and parenteral Morphine.

Patient was very restless, agitated and hallucinations

Family members were distressed and upset.

Family meeting was conducted and refractory nature of symptoms and need to initiate sedation to control these symptoms were discussed

Family agreed with the plan, informed consent was taken, intent and plan of management was documented.

Patient was initiated on continuous infusion of Morphine and Midazolam the dose was constantly titrated –symptom response and treatment toxicity were frequently assessed/reassessed

Discussion points

End of Life Symptoms

Terminal Delirium

Palliative Sedation (When/Where/How)

End points of Palliative Sedation


Patient’s pain and symptoms were well controlled. Patient remained drowsy with intermittent awakening and minimal verbal response

Moist respirations were managed with Glycopyrrolate. Over next 1 day changing in breathing pattern was noted.

Patient was shifted to a single room for privacy. Patient and family had belonged to Buddhist faith, and as per family's request Buddhist monks were allowed to be present during patient’s final moments along with the family.

Patient died peacefully in the ward in the presence of family

Family provided input about religious customs involved in immediate after death care and these suggestions were incorporated.

Discussion points

Perimortem period care (Silver Hour)

Addressing non-physical needs in end of life care

Minimum infrastructural requirements for good end of life care

After death care


Patient was promptly attended by the treating physician, death was verified and certification for cause of death was provided.

All arrangements were made for timely and dignified transport of dead person from the hospital

Bereavement phone call was made 1 week after patient’s death and 3 weeks later a bereavement home visit was done by doctor and nurses team.

Few pending/unanswered questions were answered during bereavement home visit. Social worker was involved for further ongoing bereavement support

Death was discussed in the multi-disciplinary team meeting and the care process was reviewed

Family had a normal grieving process, are back to their lives in few months

Discussion points

Verification and certification of death (Correct steps/guidelines)

Bereavement support

High risk bereavement/Prolonged grief

Review of care process

end of life care education case scenario 3 end of life care webinar module 1

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