Please help! With this case study, how does Virginia Henderson\'s nursing theory
ID: 240755 • Letter: P
Question
Please help! With this case study, how does Virginia Henderson's nursing theory help guide the nursing care in this study?
Case Study: Abigail Goldberg is a 46-year-old female who has recently been admitted to the hospital after falling down the stairs and breaking her ankle. Her ankle has been repaired with an open reduction and fixation device. Currently, she is unable to bear weight on that extremity. Physical Therapy is working with Mrs. Goldberg to assist her in advancing her mobility. While talking to Mrs. Goldberg the nurse finds out that she has been experiencing muscle weakness in her legs for the last two months. She has a history of scoliosis and believed the weakness was due to an “alignment” problem. Upon admission, Mrs. Goldberg has bilateral weakness in her lower legs. You are unable to assess her gait due to the fractured ankle, but she states she has been “unsteady on her feet for the last few weeks”. Upon further history taking you find out her appetite has diminished over the last three weeks, she states she is hungry but when she tries to eat she fatigues easily then quickly losses her appetite. She has lost 10 pounds in the “few” months and now weighs 120lbs. Her CBC and CMP are within normal limits with the exception of mild anemia with an H&H of 11.5 and 32.9. Testing is currently being undertaken for a definitive diagnosis of the weakness that lead to Mrs. Goldberg’s fall. Her physician strongly believes she experiencing symptoms common for multiple sclerosis. The physician has shared this with Mrs. Goldberg. The physician has ordered further blood work to evaluate any elevation in antibodies. The physician has also ordered a CT scan and a spinal tap to assist with making the final diagnosis. Mrs. Goldberg has no other significant medical history. She takes only a multi-vitamin daily. She has never had surgery. She has three children, all girls, ages 18, 15, and 11. The girls are very active and rely on Mrs. Goldberg to take them to most of their extracurricular events. The oldest has just started college and this is the first time any of her children will live away from home. She has been looking forward to traveling to her daughter’s college for visits. Her religious preference is Judaism. Her family of origin practices Conservative Judaism. While Mrs. Goldberg participates in religious holiday celebrations she does not actively practice Judaism nor does she attend temple regularly. Mrs. Goldberg has been married 5 years to her second husband and states they have a “good relationship” but that they “have not been intimate for 2 months” because she has not been feeling well. Mrs. Goldberg was married to her first husband for 15 years. That marriage ended in divorce after she discovered her first husband was gay. When the nurse enters Mrs. Goldberg’s room to discuss the plan for the shift and day the nurse observes Mrs. Goldberg’s affect to be sad. She states she has not been able to eat. She verbalizes fear for herself and her family at the possible diagnosis and states to the nurse ”What did I do to deserve this?’ You are the nurse taking care of Mrs. Goldberg. You must provide care that she needs: help with ADLs, give her support, and prepare her for her test. write how you will use Virginia Hendersons theory to help guide the nursing care that you will render to Mrs. Goldberg.
Explanation / Answer
The Nursing Need Theory was advanced by Virginia A. Henderson to describe the sole emphasis of nursing exercise. The theory emphases on the position of cumulative the patient’s individuality to speed their development in the hospital. Henderson’s theory highlights on the rudimentary human wants and how nurses can contribution in conference those requirements.
A non-operative tactic should be measured in the conduct of well abridged ankle fractures in the ageing. In the elderly patient, the danger of thoughtful problems has to be weighed in contradiction of the compensations that are predictable for apiece patient.
The following interventions as nurse should be done:
-Apply any well-ordered brace before summoning the client.
-Upsurge individuality in ADLs.
-Attain any assistive strategies desirable for movement.
-Evaluate the patient’s discomfort by means of the 10 point discomfort assessment gauge q4 hours or PRN.
-Given that needless support with transmissions and doings may endorse requirement and a damage of flexibility.
The nurse must be a self-governing practitioner bright to brand independent decision. In her effort to get inside the patient’s covering and addition her asset, will or information rendering to her wants. The nurse has the accountability to measure the requirements of the patient, aid him or her encounter health wants, and deliver an setting in which the patient can achieve activity unassisted.