Health problems are of paramount importance to be addressed and eradicated. Health has a significant impact on a person’s vital activity and physical and mental state. The eradication of one health problem can often help the patient cope with others since physical pain can adversely affect the patient’s psychological condition. This assignment states the overview of the health care situation, including the patient’s problem and the recommendations to solve it.
In the example given in Chapter 17, there is a description of a patient, a 78-year-old woman, who is in the clinic for five days after a thoracotomy for lung cancer (Hopp & Rittenmeyer, 2021). During the water procedures, the nurse, Sarah, noticed several areas of skin damage on the woman’s back. After studying the place, Sarah saw a shallow crater of total thickness with a layer from red to pink. Despite implementing all recommendations and procedures for prevention, the wound still has not healed. This problem causes pain in the patient’s back and interferes with ordinary life.
The recommendations of Chapter 17 on this type of health problem contain the following:
- The nurse needs to show interest and curiosity (Hopp & Rittenmeyer, 2021). Nurses should pay close attention to the patient and ask questions on topics of interest related to this problem.
- Showing initiative and understanding the patient’s preferences. Nurses need to figure out and integrate patients’ preferences, values, and desires into the treatment process.
- Taking care of the patient’s comfort. The nurse needs to determine if the back is rubbing the surface on which he is sitting, lying, and sleeping. Moreover, well-thought-out assistance during movement helps relieve the patient from pain in such cases.
Thus, compliance with these recommendations and planned treatment of the patient will help speed up the process of her recovery and return home.
Reference
Hopp, L., & Rittenmeyer, L. (2021). Introduction to evidence-based practice: A practical guide for nursing. F.A. Davis.