Peaceful End-of-Life Theory

Cornelia Ruland & Shirley Moore: Peaceful End-of-Life Theory

• Not Being in Pain: Absence of pain and suffering. A state free from unpleasant sensory experiences.

• Experience of Comfort: Relief from discomfort; a state of ease, peace, and contentment. Includes anything that makes life easier or more pleasurable.

• Experience of Dignity and Respect: Treating the terminally ill as valuable human beings. Incorporates the ethical principle of autonomy — respecting individual choices.

• Being at Peace: A feeling of calmness, harmony, and contentment, free from anxiety, restlessness, worries, and fear. This encompasses physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects.

• Closeness to Significant Others: Feeling connected to those who care; involves emotional and/or physical closeness.

Major Assumptions

• Individualized Experiences: End-of-life experiences are unique to each person.

• Crucial Role of Nursing: Nurses play a vital role in creating peaceful end-of-life experiences. They assess cues, intervene appropriately, and maintain peace even when verbal communication is unavailable.

• Importance of Family: Family, encompassing all significant others, is crucial to end-of-life care.

• Maximizing, Not Optimizing Care: The goal is to provide the best possible care through judicious use of technology and comfort measures to enhance quality of life and facilitate a peaceful death. Avoiding overly aggressive treatment.

Explore the concepts from Cornelia Ruland & Shirley Moore's Peaceful End-of-Life Theory. This quiz covers important aspects such as comfort, dignity, and the significance of relationships at the end of life. Test your understanding of how nursing practices contribute to a peaceful transition for terminally ill patients.