TY  - JOUR
AU  - Santos, Ana
AU  - Abreu, Elsa
AU  - Assunção, Márcia
AU  - Simões, Catarina
AU  - Figueiredo, Rita
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/05/28
TI  - Best Care for the Dying, Right Plan at the Right Time: A Case Report
JO  - OBM Geriatrics
SP  - 312
VL  - 09
IS  - 02
AB  - The growing number of individuals with palliative care needs has led to an increased demand for specialized palliative care teams.. However, these teams often struggle to meet the demand, requiring all nurses to recognize and provide appropriate care during a patient’s last hours and days of life (LHDL). This case report aims to highlight the importance of identifying the LHDL and implementing individualized and adjusted care plans based on the 10/40 model of care. A descriptive-reflective case report following the CARE guidelines (for Case Report) focused on a 72-year-old male patient diagnosed with lung cancer with bone metastases, who exhibited eminent death signs. The early recognition of impending death signs – unconsciousness, shallow breathing with apneic episodes, mandibular breathing, imperceptible radial pulse, and pronounced peripheral cyanosis – enabled anticipatory symptom management, family preparation, and dignified death at home. The case highlights the effectiveness of nursing care grounded in the 10/40 model and Transitions Theory, demonstrating that even without specialized teams, generalist nurses can ensure a dignified end-of-life (EOL). This case reinforced the nurse’s central role not only in managing symptoms but also in supporting the family, facilitating shared decision-making, and ensuring a dignified death at home.
SN  - 2638-1311
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.2502312
DO  - 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2502312
ID  - Santos2025
ER  -