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Registered Nursing Case Study

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Registered nurses play a crucial role in encouraging access to healthcare, and participation in health care decisions for both patients and their families. Providing high quality care and treatment helps to support adaptation, recovery, and optimal quality of life for patients facing health alterations, particularly when access to health care is compromised (Brown et al. 2015; Farrell 2017). This case study will explore the palliative care of Kathleen, a 77-year-old Indigenous woman with metastatic breast cancer who lives with her daughter Ann in a remote Indigenous community. Due to her location and diminished access to health care, the patient’s symptom management may be compromised. Registered nurses encourage the patient to access, understand …show more content…

2015). As Kathleen’s radiotherapy to reduce her risk of metastases progresses she will present with new symptoms, and increasing care needs which will not be met within her community (Bryant & Knights 2015). Although Kathleen has palliative care respite planned, this is causing distress for both Kathleen and Ann. Cultural sensitivity is needed, as the palliative care at the local hospital is required, but separating Kathleen and her daughter may be detrimental to the patient’s health (Farrell 2017; Wicking 2015). The health of Indigenous people encompasses physical, social, cultural, and emotional wellbeing of their entire community, so having Kathleen spend as much time as possible in the community, or exploring options for Ann to stay with Kathleen in hospital is essential (Duggleby et al. 2015; Farrell 2017; Wicking 2015). As Kathleen’s condition deteriorates and her symptoms increase, once a week visits from the palliative care team will be insufficient. In Kathleen’s situation, an Aged Care Assessment will help establish her care needs, and allow her funding to receive home care through the commonwealth home support programme, transition care, ongoing respite care or the move into an aged care facility as her condition worsens (My Aged Care 2017a; …show more content…

Registered nurses must work within their scope of practice, and comply with professional, ethical, and practice standards, ensuring patients like Kathleen receive culturally safe and socially appropriate care (Farrell 2017; NMBA 2016). Nurses must value access to quality health care for all patients from different cultures and diverse backgrounds (NMBA 2008). The NMBA (2016) requires registered nurses to respect all cultures, values, beliefs, rights, and personal dignity. They must advocate on behalf of their patients in a way which respects the patient’s autonomy and legal capacity at all times (McDonald & Then 2014; NMBA 2016). There are many Indigenous health inequalities within Australia, and a number of measures have been implemented to improve these, including the Closing the Gap Campaign and the Social Justice Framework (AIHW & AIFS 2013; Australian Human Rights Commission 2016; SNM&P n.d). The registered nurse must conduct culturally competent holistic assessments with sensitivity to cultural differences, in order to develop a therapeutic relationship and positive results for the patient (Farrell 2017; NMBA 2016). Nurses must work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, providing information and education to enhance people’s control over their own health, supporting person-centred care and positive

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