Breana Campbell Case

SZT1 Task 2

Breana Campbell

June 2014

Western Governors University

Quality of life can be a subjective topic. A nurse’s perception of quality of life can be dependent upon things that particular nurse values and finds important to themselves. This nurse would find it important for the patient to feel a sense of peace with the impending death. This nurse would find it important for the patient to be surrounded by her loved ones when that time came, and would encourage both of her children to take a greater part in the remainder of her life. Lastly, this nurse would find a high priority in assuring the patient could remain independent for as long as possible, to allow her to pass with a sense of self dignity. With these areas being of importance to this nurse, surely these would be areas that the health nurse would focus her care. Additionally, the care this nurse would provide could be altered by her cultural and spiritual beliefs. For example, this nurse would encourage prayer for the patient and her family. This nurses lack of experience with terminally ill patients may present a challenge in her comfort level while dealing with grief and appropriate ways to deal with death. However, she would attempt to be comforting and a source of information for the patient.

Improving the quality of life for each patient will have a different meaning. In Mrs. Thomas’s case, she seems to need a lot of education. First and foremost, this nurse would educate her about the importance of pain management and how this could greatly improve her quality of life. This education would include the improbability of addiction. When pain is treated appropriately, addiction problems are rare. (Am Fam Physician, 2001). Additionally, addiction is not a concern in terminally ill patients. Furthermore, if Mrs. Thomas would adequately control her pain, she may have more energy to fulfill her activities of daily living, whether those be basic, intermediate, or advanced. This nurse would educate her about planning activities for times when her pain was well controlled. Being able to complete more ADL’s on her own would surely help her feel a sense of autonomy. Finally, this nurse would assist Mrs. Thomas is exploring other options for her pain control. Some of those options would include acupuncture, guided imagery, warm soaks, and of course adequate rest periods. (Clark, M.J., 2008). After exploring all of these options, this nurse would also assist Mrs. Thomas in checking on insurance coverage for any of these alternative pain management techniques.

The education would continue for Mrs. Thomas with an abundance of information about available services that could improve her quality of life. This nurse would advocate for each available source of support and