Nursing Adults with Complex Needs

2. Address Mrs. Thomas’s Physical pain and decline. Explore Mrs. Thomas’s attitudes and feelings about the use of narcotics. Some patient’s choose to forgo pain medications because they fear decreased alertness and want presence with family and friends. Non-narcotic and non-sedating medication options should be explored and discussed. Help Mrs. Thomas verbalize her fears about the medications. Explain the difference between addiction and dependence. Explore Mrs. Thomas’s openness to alternative methods of pain control such as visualization, music therapy, self-hypnosis and mediation. Encourage her to listen to her body by resting when needed and participating in life when she has the energy. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas both require education about palliative care options for management of symptoms associated with her disease.

The nurse’s role would be to evaluate first the patient’s level of understanding of their disease. It is important to also include a patient’s support system when teaching. The nurse must give the patient information about his or her condition in a form he or she can easily understand so the patient can develop a genuine comprehension of the disease process. After the patient has a good comprehension of the disease, he or she can then apply this knowledge to his or her own situation. When this knowledge is applied to a patient’s own situation, the patient is then able to ask questions and form a new way of thinking about living with the disease. When these steps are accomplished, the patient will then be able to create a plan that would help in achieving his or her goals in regards to living with the disease process. As nurses caring for patients with chronic illnesses, recognizing where patients are at in their journey with learning about their chronic illness, and meeting them where they are will help when educating and guiding them to the next step.

The first half of this clinical placement, I was on a palliative ward. While others might find it difficult caring for patients at the end stage of life or in great deal of pain, I find that it gives me a great deal of satisfaction that I was able to provide care for these client in my own unexperienced way of palliative care. Being a patient myself of a very serious illness in the past, the goal of a palliative care team which is to provide quality of life during these difficult stages of the client, hits close to my heart. I might consider working in the palliative care unit in the future.

The movie “Wit” is a great educational tool for healthcare professionals in terms of dealing with terminally ill patients. It teaches that nurses and medical professionals should always remember that their patients are not a case nor illness nor experiment but rather human beings with souls and pains. Palliative care is one of the most disputed issues of worldwide importance. While bureaucrats in different countries are making laws on the use of palliative drugs, patients with excruciating pains learn how to “take deep breaths and be strong” (Nichols & Brokaw, 2001). That is what nurse Susie Monahan from “Wit” advises her dying patient Vivian Bearing suffering from unbearable pains due to stage IV ovarian cancer after eight painful rounds

In this assignment I will be discussing Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing and issues regarding consent. Consent is important within all fields of nursing as it is essential to conduct any medical procedures. The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct (NMC,2008) states that all healthcare professionals must presume that all patients have the mental capacity to accept or deny medical treatments after being given all information which may be needed. However there may be some instances where consent cannot be obtained. An example of this is if the patient is in a medical emergency and may be unconscious or if the patient lacks the mental capacity to make a knowledgeable choice. In this situation treatment would be

The aim of this essay is to consider approaches to promoting the self-management of a long-term condition. The focus will be linked to module content and based on a patient that I have provided nursing care for during my clinical practice. There will be a brief introduction of the patient and the context in which I was involved in their nursing care. The pathophysiology of the chosen LTC along with the related physical, psychological and social needs of the patient will be considered. There will be a discussion of principles of self-management that will link to national LTC policies. This will also include initiatives and analysis of the evidence of the underlying principles for an approach to providing self-management support, for the

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate understanding of long term conditions and palliative care. Nursing care in general entails holistic care and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, whether sick or well (Royal College of Nursing, (RCN) 2007). Better management of lifelong conditions has been the priority of the National Health Service since the 1990s. When long term conditions are managed well in the community, patients’ can live a quality life without visiting hospital frequently (RCN, 2011). In Britain, six in ten people are reported to be suffering from long term conditions that currently cannot be cured; and these people are often suffering from more than one condition that makes their care challenging. It is estimated that by 2030 the UK will have double the number of people aged 85 years or over, who are living with one or more long term condition (Department of Health, 2014).

Briefly describe the patient and his/her situation, diagnosis and prognosis, brief history of the disease, and how/why the patient entered palliative-focused care.

Having a dignified approach and respecting elderly patients in a palliative care unit is important because it is enabling them to have control over their care and treatment. This is going to help the patient to feel valued and throughout their last days of life, as they have a choice. (Social care institute for excellence, 2010). By making the patient feel as comfortable and as pain-free as possible, it will help encourage family members to respond in a positive way. This is because they are seeing that their relative is in a comfortable state.

Peate, I. (2011). Unemployment figures at higest level: a health warning. British Journal of Nursing, 1231.

Although the patient described himself as old and tired, he still had many strengths. The patient kept a positive attitude and was pleasant to be around. He understood that the nursing student was not as efficient as a professional nurse would be while preparing him for the day. HK was never mean or rude, but eventually became very reserved. He followed the directions given to him and obtained an admirable mutual respect between the patient and the nursing staff. After his death, the nursing student asked a nursing aid for some information about HK. She said he was easy going and went with the flow. She said he was never one to cause any problems. This is commendable considering his health status and disease progression.

The purpose of this essay is to reflect on a challenging situation I experienced during clinical practice as a student nurse. The essay will discuss my thoughts and feelings surrounding the situation and analyse the coping strategies I used in managing the situation, linking to relevant theory throughout in order to provide evidence for practice. The essay will also consider person-centred care and whether this was delivered to the patient. To conclude, the essay will discuss what I have learnt from the experience and how this experience will improve my future

Adult nursing is a lifelong learning career which I have been drawn to since I was young. My mum is a registered nurse and I’ve always admired what she’s done. I would like to apply for this course as I want to help, not only emotionally but medically. I think that these two approaches have to go hand in hand when dealing with patients in care. It is an extremely challenging and demanding career that can be rewarding and satisfying. I am very attracted to the profession as I’ve always had an interest in caring for people and be keen on the thought of working in a large hospital environment where I can be involved in the hands on medical treatment of patients. Working in a large hospital promises a stimulating work environment and there are

In this Task, I will be analysing, explaining and describing the role of an Adult Nurse. Focusing on the responsibilities, qualities, code of Practice, their Differences between other non – professionals and their negative/positive approach to team work and supervision.

The case study based on the palliative patient Mrs. Mavis looks at issues both the family and the patient are dealing with in regards to the end of life treatment Mrs. Mavis is receiving. Mrs. Mavis is a palliative patient, currently unconscious, who is dying and only wants comfort measures within her nursing care. This was made clear through her advanced care directive, which was made weeks before beginning to receive her end of life care. Mrs. Mavis’ comfort measures include pain relief, hygiene and keeping her comfortable. Mrs. Mavis’ family want her to have fluids and medications to help improve her health. They also want oxygen and pain relief to help with her breathing. Issues such as educating and supporting the family, pain management, the effectiveness of having an advanced care directive and pain assessment will be evaluated to determine the best effective interventions for Mrs. Mavis and her families care. Interventions that will be discussed through-out this essay include the use of analgesia medication, the use of subcutaneous injections and syringe drivers, emotional support for the family, effective communication, educating the family on Mrs. Mavis’ wishes and the importance of having an advanced care directive. These interventions will be evaluated to ensure they are the best practice for Mrs. Mavis’ care.