Chapter 8, Problem 1RP

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

How do you think that you would respond in a similar situation? Why?

Case summary:

The nursing student was assigned to accompany a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU). They were caring for Mr. G, a middle-aged patient with end-stage liver failure. He had been in the coma for several weeks. Mr. G was found to be overwhelmed with the extent of drains, tubes, and technologies that have been used to care for him. The nursing student found that the nurse and some residents immediately started to assess the technological equipment soon after entering the patient’s room. They don’t seem to have any regard or concern for the patient. They had a conversation about the poor condition of the patient in his direct presence. They didn’t touch the patient and not even attempted an interaction with the patient.

Explanation of Solution

In this situation, the nursing student might not be able to confront the nurse and the residents because of the status of being only the student and not a professional nurse. The nursing student might ignore the conversation of them and could try to acknowledge the patient in terms of touch or words. This action might remind the nurse and the resident to follow the lead of the nursing student.

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

What does this tell you about yourself and about the adequacy of your skills for professional practice?

Case summary:

The nursing student was assigned to accompany a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU). They were caring for Mr. G, a middle-aged patient with end-stage liver failure. He had been in the coma for several weeks. Mr. G was found to be overwhelmed with the extent of drains, tubes, and technologies that have been used to care for him. The nursing student found that the nurse and some residents immediately started to assess the technological equipment soon after entering the patient’s room. They don’t seem to have any regard or concern for the patient. They had a conversation about the poor condition of the patient in his direct presence. They didn’t touch the patient and not even attempted an interaction with the patient.

Explanation of Solution

The nursing student seems to have good ethical and professional skills. The nursing student also shows respect to the patient’s dignity. Still, the student is in the learning phase only and the skills for professional practice were not found to be adequate in this situation. But the action of the nursing student would set a good example for others in the expression of caring.

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

What knowledge, skills, and attitudes do you need to develop to continuously improve the quality and safety in a situation like the one experienced by this student nurse?

Case summary:

The nursing student was assigned to accompany a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU). They were caring for Mr. G, a middle-aged patient with end-stage liver failure. He had been in the coma for several weeks. Mr. G was found to be overwhelmed with the extent of drains, tubes, and technologies that have been used to care for him. The nursing student found that the nurse and some residents immediately started to assess the technological equipment soon after entering the patient’s room. They don’t seem to have any regard or concern for the patient. They had a conversation about the poor condition of the patient in his direct presence. They didn’t touch the patient and not even attempted an interaction with the patient.

Explanation of Solution

The nursing student should work to implement a plan of care that should be focused on the patient rather than the technological equipment. The nursing student could develop the skills of interpersonal, professional, verbal and non-verbal communication, empathy, and showing compassion. The nursing student could acknowledge the patient through touch or words and this action would possibly make other to provide care in an ethical and professional manner.