Your patient, age 70, has metastatic prostate cancer and is receiving home hospice care. In the past, he has received transfusions of packed red blood cells to treat anemia associated with bone marrow involvement. He has received only temporary benefit from the transfusions. The patients wife has asked that her husbands hemoglobin continue to be checked weekly because she is concerned about his increasing weakness and exertional dyspnea. The interdisciplinary team is meeting to discuss the patients treatment plan. The team consensus is that he is unlikely to live more than a few days or weeks. 

What additional assessment data are needed to determine the wishes and expectations of the patient Of the wife? 

What are the teams options for intervention?  

What are the pros and cons associated with each option?