When a Catholic patient nearing death requests spiritual rites, what is the best nursing action?

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Multiple Choice

When a Catholic patient nearing death requests spiritual rites, what is the best nursing action?

When a patient nearing death requests spiritual rites, the nurse should facilitate access to the appropriate clergy so the rites can be performed by an ordained minister. For a Catholic patient, contacting a priest or hospital chaplain to administer sacraments such as the Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum honors the patient’s beliefs and provides spiritual comfort. The nurse’s role is to support and arrange, not to perform the rites themselves. Denying the request or offering only general emotional support may leave the patient’s spiritual needs unmet.

When a patient nearing death requests spiritual rites, the nurse should facilitate access to the appropriate clergy so the rites can be performed by an ordained minister. For a Catholic patient, contacting a priest or hospital chaplain to administer sacraments such as the Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum honors the patient’s beliefs and provides spiritual comfort. The nurse’s role is to support and arrange, not to perform the rites themselves. Denying the request or offering only general emotional support may leave the patient’s spiritual needs unmet.

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