EM SAQs · Palliative and end-of-life care in ED
Palliative and end-of-life presentations in ED — SAQ
SAQ on anticipatory prescribing and symptom management of the dying patient in the ED.
On this page
Study tools
Target exams
ACEMFRCEMABEM
Prompt
A 76-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer presents with breathlessness and bone pain. His family report the hospice doctor told them 'he is in his last days'. You recognise he is dying.
Stem
A 76-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer presents with breathlessness and bone pain. His family report the hospice doctor told them "he is in his last days". You recognise he is dying. [4]
a) Outline your immediate assessment and how you confirm the palliative pathway. (3 marks) [4]
b) Describe your anticipatory prescribing plan for the four common symptoms. (8 marks) [1]
c) State how you will communicate the care plan to the family. (4 marks) [2]
References4ShowHide
- [1]Lindqvist O, Lundquist G, Dickman A. Four essential drugs needed for quality care of the dying: a Delphi study J Palliat Med, 2013.PMID 23234300
- [2]Chua MT, Sen Kuan W, Zheng CQ, et al. Validation of Care of the Dying Evaluation in Emergency Medicine (CODE-EM) Ann Palliat Med, 2021.PMID 34118856
- [3]Kompanje EJ, van der Hoven B, Bakker J. Anticipation of distress after discontinuation of mechanical ventilation in the ICU at the end of life Intensive Care Med, 2008.PMID 18516588
- [4]Theunissen M, Lardenoye S, et al. The surprise question: predictive accuracy in an unselected emergency department population - a prospective study in nurses and physicians. Ann Med, 2025.PMID 40665801