Purpose
This week’s graded topics relate to the following Course Outcome (CO).
- CO 2 – Recognize the influence that developmental stages have on physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual functioning. (PO #1)
Discussion
This week you have two options for your initial discussion post. Select the option that is best for you! Please remember to use and credit the lesson or required NIH website (there was not a textbook reading this week), AND one outside scholarly source.
Option #1 – Case Study to Consider
Ann and Michael have been married for 55 years. Ann is 80 years-old, and suffers from lung cancer and advanced Alzheimer’s disease. She currently resides in a nursing home, and often does not recognize Michael when he visits. Last night she was admitted to the hospital with difficulty breathing. Today, you are the nurse caring for Ann, and her physician is suggesting surgery to remove part of her lung to potentially slow the progression of her cancer. Michael is feeling unsure about this course of treatment, and asks for your advice and guidance.
How would you respond to Michael and serve as advocate for your patient?
Option #2 – Share a Related Experience
Share with your classmates a time when you cared for a patient at the end of their life. This may be a time when you assisted the patient (or their support system) with decisions related to end of life care; or a time when you were present for the death of a patient.
What were your observations related to this experience? Do you believe it was a peaceful death? What went well? Can you think of anything that could have made the experience better for the patient and/or family?
ANSWER:
Two particular patients come to mind when thinking about the second option. They were both passing around the same time. They had completely different family situations.
The first patient had been in the nursing home for about two years, she declined fairly quickly (it took about 3 weeks). Her organs began failing and she was blowing up with fluid and was unable to breathe effectively. It was heart breaking for everyone to see. Her family was kept informed of course but none of them came to visit. The staff had a good relationship with her and we all became her family in the last few days, spending as much time with her as we could during meal times, making sure her hair was brushed and given extra time in the morning to get her cleaned and refreshed. Some of us even just stayed in her room and talked to her for a while each day. She was not alert of the last 4-5 days… To continue reading, click on the button below.