Nurses should be able to develop the necessary critical skills to develop a deeper awareness of the patient’s main causes of suffering. In order to do that, they can use methods of relation inquiry and decode contextual factors contributing to the patient’s suffering (Younas, 2020). In this case, the person who needs care is Kimiko Fujikawa and partially her husband Robert. While interpreting the case, it is crucial to be aware of the client’s health and contextual circumstances. Kimiko is a 78-year old woman who suffers from osteoarthritis, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, it is important to recognize that due to COPD and old age, Kimiko probably often experiences coughing and shortness of breath, which could be worsened by her prior history of smoking regularly.
Kimiko is most certainly in a lot of pain since her arthritis is extensive. She does not take pain medication, which means that she is used to pain. However, her recent accident may present a challenge to her mobility as her knee is bruised and swollen now. It is important to find ways for Kimiko to move and avoid stiff muscles with minimal risks of injury and falls. As for the client’s COPD, there could be certain implications of her lying on the cold pavement waiting for the ambulance.
Robert is has a number of health conditions as well, which become harder to manage when his wife is partially immobilized due to the accident. He has hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, which means that it is important to alleviate any sources of stress and to ensure that Robert has a proper diet to keep his blood sugar levels low. Lastly, it is crucial to mention that both Kimiko and Robert have a great support system. The lack of socializing and community engagement may be an area of concern for older adults. However, Kimiko and her husband have a network of friends and an older daughter living nearby. Despite that, there is no one to care for them on a regular basis since their daughter has a family of her own, while their other two kids live far away.
Reference
Younas, A. (2020). Relational inquiry approach for developing deeper awareness of patient suffering. Nursing Ethics, 27(4), 935–945. Web.