The nurse’s role goes far beyond that which is expected. Nurses are the main communicators between patients, doctors, and family, and they care for more than just physical ailments. Often, nurses are presented with difficult situations where being an advocate becomes paramount to the healing of the patient. One of the issues that patients with acute and chronic illnesses or extended hospitalization face is a tendency to become depressed. The nurse’s role in this situation requires more than just attention to the physical problem. Another situation where a nurse may need to shift his or her care is when a patient presents with a suspicious injury or illness. In addition to considering the legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse, he or she must consider the psychological undertones that may be present.
For this Discussion, you will consider delicate situations that nurses often face and analyze the implications of these situations. Reflect on a patient care situation in which you have encountered one of the following:
- A suspicious illness or injury
- Depression resulting from illness or injury
Then, locate at least one scholarly journal article related to your patient care situation that offers strategies for managing the circumstances.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
By Day 3
Respond to the following:
- Explain your patient encounter, highlighting the challenges the situation presented, and briefly summarize the contents of your journal article.
- What strategies did you employ to help handle the situation? What other strategies could you have used?
- How did you advocate for the patient in the situation?
- What are some of the legal and ethical implications that need to be considered when providing care for patients with depression resulting from illnesses or injuries or suspicious illnesses or injuries?
Note: Avoid using personal information (e.g., names, facility name, etc.) in your post.
Note: Post a 3-paragraph (at least 350 words) response. Be sure to use evidenceLinks to an external site., in-text citationsLinks to an external site., and essay-levelLinks to an external site. writing skills, including the use of transitional materialLinks to an external site. and organizational framesLinks to an external site.. Use the writing resources and the Discussion Rubric to develop your post.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings from the Discussion question (support with evidence if indicated).
Respond with a comment that asks for clarification, provides support for, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues’ postings.
Post a Discussion entry on three different days of the week. Refer to the Discussion Rubric.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
- Buijck, B. I., Zuidema, S. U., Spruit-van Eijk, M., Bor, H., Gerritsen, D. L., & Koopmans, R. T. C. M. (2014). Determinants of geriatric patients’ quality of life after stroke rehabilitationLinks to an external site.. Aging & Mental Health, 18(8), 980–985. http://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.899969
- Haugan, G., Innstrand, S.T. & Moksnes, U.K. (2013). The effect of nurse-patient interaction on anxiety and depression in cognitively intact nursing home patientsLinks to an external site.. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(15–16), 2192-2205. http://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12072
- Frazao, S. L., Correia, A.M., Norton, P. & Magalhaes, T. (2015). Physical abuse against elderly persons in institutional settingsLinks to an external site.. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 36, 54-60. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2015.09.002
- Liu, C. H. & Tronick, E. (2013). Rates and predictors of postpartum depression by race and ethnicity: Results from the 2004 to 2007 New York City PRAMS Survey (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System)Links to an external site.. Maternal Child Health Journal, 17, 1599-1610. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1171-z
- Spilman, S. K., Smith, H. L., Schirmer, L. L., & Tonui, P. M. (2015). Evaluation and treatment of depression in adult trauma patientsLinks to an external site.. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 22(1), 17–22. http://doi.org/10.1097/JTN.0000000000000102
- United Nations Children’s Fund. (2014). Hidden in plain sight: A statistical analysis of violence against childrenLinks to an external site.. https://www.unicef.org/reports/hidden-plain-sight
Required Media
- Steiner, L. M. (2012). Why domestic violence victims don’t leaveLinks to an external site.. [Video]. TED conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/leslie_morgan_steiner_why_domestic_violence_victims_don_t_leave?language=en#t-58672