Overview
Introduction
End of life nursing care follows the patient's changing goals as illness progresses toward death.
End-of-life nursing care follows the patient's changing goals as illness progresses toward death. The focus may shift from disease-directed treatment to comfort, dignity, meaningful function, and support for the patient and family; that shift is not abandonment. A practical nurse recognizes expected decline, identifies treatable distress, carries out the established plan, reassesses response, and communicates changes promptly. The patient's wishes and legally authorized decisions guide care. The LPN/LVN does not independently change code status, discontinue treatment, initiate palliative sedation, or alter a hospice plan. Those decisions require the responsible prescriber, RN, hospice team, patient, or surrogate as defined by state law and facility policy.