Administration of morphine and low dose lorazepam has been effective to alleviate Mr. M’s dyspnea and his breathing sounds have quieted with 2 doses of glycopyrrolate (Robinul®) 0.2 mg IV.
His vital signs are now: T= 98.8, RR =20, HR = 100, BP =110/60, O2 saturation =93%.
The chaplain has spoken with Mrs. Martino and the pediatric support service has met with her and her daughter. Mrs. M is much calmer and she and her daughter are sitting at Mr. M’s bedside holding his hands. Goals of care have been clarified and understood to provide palliative care to alleviate symptoms, to keep him as comfortable as possible, and to support his family.
“Chaplains have skills for personal interaction… Chaplains are alert to the expressed needs of patients. They are counselors who take time to listen, discern the significance of words they hear and intuit the importance of what is unspoken.”
Rev. William A. Purdy, M.Div., S.T.M.
Journal of Palliative Medicine
Volume 5, Number 1, 2002