NR 305 Week 8 Discussion: Case Study or Share an Experience
NR 305 Week 8 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.NR 305 Week 8 Discussion
How would you respond to Michael and serve as advocate for your patient? NR 305 Week 8 Discussion
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?NR 305 Week 8 Discussion
NR 305 Week 8 Discussion Answer
Option #1 Case Study
In addressing Michael’s concerns, I would embark on an educational discussion, providing comprehensive information about the surgery, elucidating both its advantages and potential risks in the context of his grandmother’s health.
The surgery offers notable benefits, including alleviating mass effect and associated symptoms, eliminating cancer cells to impede metastasis, excising tumors in areas inaccessible to radiation, enabling pathology examination, ensuring patient convenience, and presenting prospects for complete recovery. However, the decision to undergo surgery is intricate, and the associated costs must be weighed carefully.NR 305 Week 8 Discussion
Potential drawbacks encompass the risk of incomplete eradication of microscopic tumors, potentially leading to further cancer dissemination. Additionally, considering the patient’s age, existing medications, and the tumor’s location in the lungs, there is a heightened concern about the patient’s ability to tolerate anesthesia and the surgical procedure.
Possible complications, such as infections and damage to adjacent tissues, must be acknowledged. Furthermore, the financial burden associated with comprehensive care should be considered, as surgeries often entail high costs (Fabrikant, Wisnivesky, Marron, Taioli, &…). In light of these complexities, a thorough examination of the benefits and risks, coupled with a shared decision-making approach involving the patient and Michael’s family, is imperative to determine the most appropriate course of action tailored to the grandmother’s individual circumstances.NR 305 Week 8 Discussion
