A terminally ill patient is experiencing nausea and vomiting. What is an appropriate nursing action?

• A. Encourage or provide three big meals rather than small frequent meals.
• B. No action is required, as this issue is common during the last days of life.
• C. Prevent family members from bringing home-cooked food, which might overwhelm the patient.
• D. Administer antiemetic drugs before meals, as ordered.

Answer: (D)

Controlling distressing symptoms like nausea and vomiting in a terminally ill patient is a priority in palliative care. Giving antiemetic medications before meals, as ordered, is the best approach because it repels the onset of nausea by ensuring the drug is in the system when meals are consumed or when smells and other triggers might cause emesis. This preemptive management helps prevent vomiting, improves comfort, and can support the patient’s ability to take in some nourishment, which is a meaningful quality-of-life goal.

Large meals often worsen nausea, so encouraging three big meals is not ideal. Assuming antiemetics are prescribed, they should be used proactively rather than waiting for symptoms to start. Simply saying no action is required ignores a treatable symptom that affect comfort. Restricting family involvement or home-cooked foods isn’t necessary; rather, adjusting the mealtime environment to minimize triggers while providing appropriate meds is the preferred strategy.