Situation Helena is a 42-year old woman diagnosed with breast cancer who lives in rural Queensland with her husband Stefan and three children [Jane…
Question Situation Background Helena is a 42-year old woman diagnosed with breast cancer who lives in rural Queensland with her husband Stefan and three children [Jane 15, Tom 12, Lucy 10]. Stefan works away and they struggle with her treatment and her need to be closer to the hospital. They share family concerns with you about coping and maintaining support for the children. Helena had a total mastectomy and removal of axillary nodes 10 weeks ago and is now receiving chemotherapy. Her treatment involves six cycles of chemotherapy, which comprises two days of treatment followed by two weeks for recovery. During the treatment weeks, Helena stays for the two days at the Cancer Council hostel close to the treating hospital. After her third cycle of chemotherapy, Helena returns home and notices a marked increase in her level of fatigue and is finding it very hard to cope with family demands. Helena subsequently contracts a common cold from one of her children and she becomes quite unwell. She goes to the emergency department of her local hospital, febrile and generally unwell. In view of her complex underlying medical condition, the doctor recommends Helena be transferred to the treating hospital’s oncology unit for further assessment and treatment. Helena is transferred to Brisbane via an air evacuation with Stefan. The children are left in the care of a close friend. Helena’s Mother and Father live in Brisbane. Assessment Helena is admitted to the oncology unit for treatment and assessment of her neutropenia. The nurse completes a family assessment to identify how the family is functioning with this immediate illness and Helena’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment regime, and to see if any additional support or assistance is needed. Identified issues Poor communication between family members Limited understanding of the treatment Challenges with changes in family roles Challenges related to accepting help Lack of acknowledgement of the role of spirituality Different coping strategies across family members Challenges with support and inclusion of the children Lack of acceptance of support within the extended family 1) Describe the issue: Exceptionally high standard as evidenced by a clear and comprehensive description of a range of factors related to the issue Succinct and logical discussion about what is known about the identified issue and how this might be applicable to this case. 2) Plan nursing Care: Exceptionally high standard as evidenced by very well constructed and highly relevant nursing goal. Comprehensive justification for the goal using components of a Family Assessment model. 3) Implement nursing care: Exceptionally high standard as evidenced by a succinct and accurate discussion of two evidence-based strategies that align with family strengths. Recommends highly relevant and accessible online resource/s and/or referrals for each strategy.4) Evaluate nursing care: Exceptionally high standard as evidenced by a clear, and comprehensive discussion of proposed method/s to evaluate both strategies used to meet the goal. Health Science Science Nursing NURSING 2810 Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)
