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.
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.
Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.
Note Initial Post: A 3-paragraph (at least 350 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Avoid quotes; paraphrase to incorporate evidence into your own writing. A reference list is required. Use the most current evidence (usually ≤ 5 years old).
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 rehabilitation. 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 patients. 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 settings. 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). 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 patients. 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 children. http://files.unicef.org/publications/files/Hidden_in_plain_sight_statistical_analysis_EN_3_Sept_2014.pdf
Required Media
Steiner, L. M. (2012). Why domestic violence victims don’t leave. [Video]. TED conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/leslie_morgan_steiner_why_domestic_violence_victims_don_t_leave?language=en#t-58672
