The work of nurses is one of the most valuable for the process of providing medical care. To improve the quality of this care, staffing of this medical staff, specialized education and training of nurses in the psychology of communication is necessary. Profound knowledge of the pathophysiological processes of the disease is essential for a medical specialist. It is important to have this information because nurses are also required to understand how these pathologies affect the life of patients.
Pathopsychology is a branch of psychological science that studies changes in the mental activity of patients due to mental and somatic diseases. The study of these processes and the features of their disorders helps to consider the formation of human mental activity. Thus, conducting research in this area is the basis for establishing a diagnosis, and also determines the preserved mental functions that become the basis for correctional and rehabilitation measures.
Serious physical health problems can greatly affect the psychological state of the patient. Thus, autosuggestion occurs and the patient may begin to worsen his condition even more by resorting to negative thoughts. In the case under study, the woman was experiencing severe anxiety and feelings of closeness of death which must be taken seriously. Moreover, it was elevated by the rapid heart rate and respiratory rate. These factors coupled with difficult breathing contributed to feeling like the old woman was about to die. In addition, despite denying the presence of any pain, the patient felt a lack of air. This had a direct impact on the feeling of a “fleeing heart” and the lack of desire and ability to eat and drink independently.
Medical interventions during Mrs. J.’s hospitalization were appropriate and necessary. The patient may experience such a phenomenon as cardiac arrest. It is characterized by a feeling of absence or omission of a heartbeat in a certain period of time, accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the heart area. Intravenous administration of furosemide contributed to the treatment of the patient’s heart failure. Its relevance lies in the fact that it helps in reducing fluid in the body, as it has a diuretic effect. Moreover, the actions to improve the respiratory functions of Miss J. were useful. Intravenous morphine sulfate made her more comfortable and reduced pain. Inhaled short-acting bronchodilator ProAir HFA for bronchial constriction was used in emergency care and had a successful outcome (Kerwin et al., 2017). Enalapril (vasotec), which is used for chronic heart failure, contributed to a decrease in the patient’s blood pressure, and metoprolol (lopressor) consolidated the results of taking prepatar. An additional positive effect was provided by an inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent HFA) as it has helped to reduce inflammation, which contributes to the narrowing of the bronchial airways.
Some conditions that may lead to heart failure are coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation. In all these cases, a healthy lifestyle plays an important role (Kotseva et al., 2017). It includes giving up junk food, especially cholesterol-rich foods, and getting rid of bad habits. Therefore, smoking for forty years directly strongly influenced the current state of the patient’s respiratory system in the case under study. Moreover, preventative measures for myocardial infarction or heart attack include supplying supplemental oxygen and morphine during the process.
Sometimes myocardial infarction is asymptomatic and is detected by chance. When it appears, antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed inside and administered intravenously. Prevention of coronary heart disease includes adequate physical exercise, treatment of high blood pressure and a healthy lifestyle. Medications and physical exercises in this case are approximately equally effective. Atrial fibrillation requires having normal heart rate, which means anticoagulation of the patient to prevent blood clots. Nurses might help in the cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by providing mental support. In the studied example, when the patient was feeling anxious and had difficulty breathing, nurses could teach breathing techniques.
Each drug, regardless of its composition and effect on the body, can have side effects. Therefore, it is important to inform patients about the possible harm of taking several medications at the same time. It has been proven that such use contributes to an increase in the likelihood of falls in old age. The use of more than four cardiovascular and psychoactive drugs is associated with a constantly accumulating risk of falls, as they have a strong effect on the central nervous system.
For Mrs. J., it is necessary to provide training on health promotion and recovery. It may include topics on a healthy lifestyle, a rehabilitation program for quitting smoking. Moreover, a woman can independently acquire the necessary knowledge on various online resources. In this case, rehabilitation resources and modifications will help the patient to move to independence and avoid the occurrence of relapses in the future.
It should be noted that improving patient health literacy is valuable for maintaining personal well-being, including the use of methods for self-control. Ms. J.’s teaching methods regarding medications may include consultation with the attending physician. This can be useful, since most patients have a close relationship with the specialist who helps them. Thus, the patient will listen better to the information received and will remember it.
Quitting smoking can be the basis for improving the patient’s well-being and reducing COPD relapses. However, it is impossible to give up a bad habit abruptly, as this can also have negative consequences. Therefore, if you have a desire to smoke, you need to postpone these thoughts and distract yourself and do something else. For the first time, various drugs that promote the production of nicotine without cigarettes can help. Moreover, you need to drink more water, consume more vegetables and fruits containing useful vitamins and minerals.
References
Kerwin, E. M., Ferro, T. J., Ariely, R., Irwin, D. E., & Parikh, R. (2017). Real-world health care utilization in asthma patients using albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol (ProAir® HFA) with and without integrated dose counters. Journal of Asthma and Allergy, 10, 171-179. Web.
Kotseva, K., De Bacquer, D., Jennings, C., Gyberg, V., De Backer, G., Rydén, L.,… & EUROASPIRE Investigators. (2017). Time trends in lifestyle, risk factor control, and use of evidence-based medications in patients with coronary heart disease in Europe: results from 3 EUROASPIRE Surveys, 1999–2013. Global heart, 12(4), 315-322. Web.