Better Not to Know in Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory Essay examples

Although it is alarming about how expensive these drugs may cost, an inescapable idea that would have passed our brains several times already would be “Why should I care?” and that patients are only willing to pay this price because they need it because they are sick. Even if it may seem that we don’t empathize them, the overall perception is that since we don’t have hepatitis C, we would not have to worry about these price tags because we would never have to pay this fee. Because of this, although we may feel sympathy towards these patients, we are rarely able to perceive their problems at a personal level.

Nursing practice has revolutionized itself throughout the years. Today we realize the causes of current illnesses as complex and multifaceted (source). In past models, for instance the medical model, the approach was straightforward and neglected the patients active involvement in their care; the patient was viewed as the passive recipient and the doctor, an active agent that “fixed” their patients. ( source). New developed models since then, such as the biopsychosocial model, show us that care focuses on many factors. The model demonstrates understanding of how suffering, disease, and illness can be associated by many factors seen at the different levels in society and the medical sciences (source). Caring for each component is

This research paper is going to review today’s silent killer, the Hepatitis C virus. This paper will talk about the description of the disease, the signs and symptoms, the etiology and risk factors, diagnostic studies, treatments and prognosis of this disease. I had lived with this disease for over ten years before diagnosed so it is important to understand the signs and symptoms so the disease can be identified and a treatment plan can be identified as the sooner it is treated the more likely it will eradicate the disease.

Hepatitis C has been referred to as a "Silent Epidemic," since it usually progresses slowly over many years. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C are not aware of any noticeable symptoms for as long as one to two decades after they are infected. In fact, by the time symptoms appear, the virus has probably already begun to damage the liver. If the liver is injured and stops functioning, death will always be the outcome (Lieber). Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver transplants in the United States.

Over the past 30 years nursing has evolved from a task-oriented to a logical and systematic approach to care, using theories and models to guide practice. According to Jasper (2007, p117) theories of decision making in medicine tend to favour logical, precise analytical models which are held to be testable, unambiguous and repeatable, therefore satisfying scientific principles. These represent important ideas of certainty and rationality that are intended to provide a sense of security and reliability. When used correctly a nursing model should give direction to nurses working in a particular area, as it should help them understand more fully the logic behind their actions. It should also act as a guide in decision-making and so reduce conflict within the team of nurses as a whole. This in turn should lead to continuity and consistency of the nursing care received by patients according to Pearson et al (1999,p ).

V.S described her present health as “good” and described her definition of health as “an absence or control of illnesses and disease.” Her immunizations are all up to date. V.S exclaimed that she is “self-sufficient” and plans to remain that way for “a long time.” Although she is satisfied with her present health state, she conceded that “there is always room for improvement with diet and exercise.” V.S said that she smoked “heavily for 40+ years.” She quit after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015, and proudly declared that she hasn’t smoked

Mishel’s Uncertainty of Illness Theory is a middle-range theory (Black, 2014). This means the theory is not overly broad or narrow. The theory was developed from studying men with prostate cancer who were watchfully waiting for the advancing signs of their disease (Black, 2014). The theory has three main components, which incorporate: the antecedents of uncertainty, impaired cognitive appraisal, and coping with uncertainty in illness (Neville, 2003). The antecedents of Mishel’s theory are the stimulus frame, cognitive capacities and event congruence (Neville, 2003). The stimulus frame concerns three parts including: symptom pattern, event familiarity and event congruency (Neville, 2003). Symptom pattern may be when symptoms of

If Hepatitis C is caught in the early stages it is curable with medication. Watson points out that the medications that is used to treat Hepatitis C is very expensive and that people have a hard time paying for the cost. This results in people not getting the treatment due to the cost and this ultimately results in the person getting chronic Hepatitis C. Watson explains, “chronic Hepatitis C leads to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer or scarring of the liver” (personal communication, February 27, 2017). Watson states that within the past couple of years, drug companies have taken the cost of these medications into consideration and have set up payment plan options for people who suffer from Hepatitis C. Along with, some drug companies are now covering the entire cost of the medications depending on the person’s income level. Another development that has recently emerged is financial counselors. Watson explains that, “once a person tests positive for Hepatitis C they will be notified, control measures will be discussed and the nurse will refer them out to a financial counselor to figure out which route is best for them to get treatment” (personal communication, February 27, 2017). Surry County Health and Nutrition Center work closely with the financial counselors through Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to get these

KV is a patient who was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis C. She is a 27 year old, English speaking, Caucasian female who grew up and still lives in Minnesota. KV is a bartender and nursing student who loves anything outdoors, cooking, gardening, and being with family and friends. KV contracted this disease from her previous partner and is now single. She has plans of marrying and having kids someday in the future. She has a support base consisting of her family and friends. KV’s parents and family are very involved in all aspects of her life and have supported her through this diagnosis. KV has shown an interest and readiness to learn, which she does best, hands-on. Being a college student, KV is cognitive about her situation and has the capability to understand what is happening to her body and the material that I will teach her.

Merle Mishel’s uncertainty in illness theory can be applied to evidence-based MS practice, research, and education in order to improve care and create key guidelines for culturally competent care. For example, evidence-based research has supported the theory’s use for patients and families affected by MS (Cypress, 2016). Interestingly, in line with our cultural care focus, the theory has grown beyond individuals living with MS in the United States to various nations around the world (Giammanco et al., 2014). Subsequently, the rationale for application in practice is for health care professionals to provide education and treatment options to individuals and their families suffering from MS in an

Although we are well aware of the mode of transmission, the hepatitis C virus itself remains a mystery. The genome of HCV is extremely mutable. Because HCV is an RNA virus and does not have adequate proofreading ability as it replicates, virions infecting humans undergo evolution with time, giving rise to the notion that HCV persists as a collection of virus quasispecies. Because it is constantly mutating, HCV is able to escape detection and elimination its human host. HCV undergoes quick mutation in a hypervariable region of the genome coding for the envelope proteins and escapes immune surveillance by the host. As a result, most HCV-infected people develop chronic infection. HCV also knocks out the host’s innate immunity.

Nursing is a unique profession which is built upon theories that guide everyday nursing practice. According to Taylor, Lillis, & Lynn (2015), “Nursing theory differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities in that it serves the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices” (p. 27). Many nurses may unknowingly apply a theory or a combination thereof, along with critical thinking to get the best outcome for a patient. Theories are used in practice today because they have been supported by research and help the profession uphold its boundaries. Most nursing theories consist of four concepts which are the patient, the environment, health, and nursing. Each patient is at the center of focus and they have the right to determine what care will be given to them using informed

Since my PICO is acute by nature, I believe that Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory is applicable. As I mentioned in my post from Week Three, there is a possibility that those patients are not following discharge instructions about the incisional care and when they were on their two weeks check up, the infection was discovered at that time. Hence, they did not recognized signs of infection while at home. Or, during their stay at the hospital the proper post- surgical care of incision was not implemented and infection process already started. According to this theory, “uncertainty results in the inability to obtain a clear conception of the situation, but a situation appraised as uncertain will mobilize individuals to use their resources

The first stage of this framework is coming to know the client, which requires the nurse to understand that the personal meaning of health and healing is individualized and the context of this area is highly subjective. Gillespie and Paterson (2009) state that “clinical decision-making processes are triggered by recognition of a cue from a patient” (p. 167). In the case of this patient, the decision was based off a cue; a change

Hepatitis C is a prevalent health care problem. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2016), approximately 2.7-3.9 million of the adult population in the United States is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Some groups of people are at risk for Hepatitis C infection, including current injection drug users, people who received the blood transfusion before 1992, organ recipients from a donor who tested positive for hepatitis C virus, hemodialysis patients, and children born to a hepatitis C mother (CDC, 2016). Hepatitis C causes embarrassment and isolation from the society. Self-esteem and understanding of the