CNA Certification (Written Exam)Communication and Psychosocial NeedsHard
A dying resident's family reports that although unresponsive, the resident may still be able to hear them. Based on end-of-life care principles, the nurse aide should:
- ADiscourage the family from talking since the resident cannot respond
- BExplain to the family that hearing is the first sense to be lost
- COnly whisper near the resident to avoid overstimulation
- DSpeak to the resident normally and encourage the family to do the same
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Speak to the resident normally and encourage the family to do the same
Hearing is believed to be one of the last senses to fade at the end of life. Nurse aides should continue speaking normally to unresponsive dying residents and encourage family to do the same, as it may provide comfort.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Discouraging conversation removes a potential source of comfort.
- B. This statement is factually incorrect; hearing is believed to be the last sense lost, not the first.
- C. Whispering unnecessarily assumes overstimulation, which is not supported.
End-of-Life Care: Hearing
Hearing is believed to be the last sense to diminish near death; caregivers should continue speaking to and comforting unresponsive dying residents.
- Hearing may persist even when other responses stop
- Encourage family to talk, hold hands, and comfort the resident
- Avoid speaking negatively near a dying resident, even if unresponsive
Memory trick: Last to leave is the ear that hears.