Anxiety
Nursing Care Plan
Jessica is diagnosed with anxiety, as she revealed the feeling of uneasiness and discomfort connected with her loss of vision. The patient anticipates danger, as she is likely to be afraid of the possibility of further complications, total loss of vision, and inability to live a normal life. Being aware of a patient’s condition, a nurse should develop a range of interventions that can enhance the situation. In this way, the nursing care plan should start with the recognition of anxiety awareness.
Even though the nurse may have particular ideas of those concerns the patient has, it is significant to ensure that Jessica understands and accepts her feelings. Thus, it is important to communicate with her and to help her identify the causes of anxiety. Then, the nurse should focus on supportive and approachable interactions. It is important to make the patient believe that she is not alone and that there are people who are willing to assist her and can provide her with any clarification she requires. The nurse can use various techniques to reveal her sympathy, including verbalization or presence.
Because of the loss of vision, Jessica feels inconvenient in a new environment practicing new experiences. The nurse should comfort her, ensuring that the level of the patient’s anxiety does not increase. All interactions should be conducted in a peaceful manner so that Jessica perceives stability and the nurse’s assurance. The patient should be reinforced and encouraged to discuss her feelings.
Positive self-talk can be recommended, as well as those coping strategies that are used to help her (Wayne, 2016b). A nurse should explain all interventions and terms used by professionals to let Jessica understand what is happening to her. Appropriate medication can be recommended.
Teaching Plan
In addition to that, Jessica should be educated regarding the use of appropriate coping strategies (avoid alcohol, smoking, or sedatives). She should know how to intake prescribed medicines. Jessica and her friend should acknowledge the symptoms of anxiety and community resources that may be needed. Moreover, the patient should be taught to use guided imagery to overcome anxiety.
Acute Pain
Nursing Care Plan
Jessica feels acute pain because of the infection in her left eye. It makes her face unpleasant experiences that affect her both physically and emotionally. In some cases, nurses may reveal that patient complains about pain that is not real. However, in Jessica’s situation, this symptom is not fake. Thus, it is vital to find out how severe pain experienced by the patient is because early identification of the need for pain relief can provide an opportunity to decrease the total amount of required drugs.
Moreover, it is significant to respond to the patient’s complaints because her perception of time and experienced symptoms may be distorted because of the combination of pain and anxiety. It is also vital to minimalize the adverse influence of additional stressors that can have negative effects on Jessica’s condition, as they can reduce her ability to tolerate pain. The nurse should establish rest periods to minimalize the possibility of exhaustion that can potentially increase pain. The professional should also select an approach to relieve pain. There may be a need for (non)opioid or local analgesics. In addition to that, non-pharmacological methods can be rather beneficial, such as cognitive-behavioral strategies or the use of a compress (Wayne, 2016a).
Teaching Plan
Jessica should also be taught to take her medication in the right way without waiting for her pain to become severe. She should know several ways to minimalize painful experiences, such as get enough sleep, reduce stress, and avoid reading or watching TV. The patient should also find out whom to contact in case of complications.
References
Wayne, G. (2016a). Acute pain. Web.
Wayne, G. (2016b). Anxiety. Web.