In the case under review, interviewing the woman during the initial consultation is the primary stage of observation, at which gathering the medical history occurs. Thus, the probability of asthma, lung cancer, and other severe respiratory diseases in the patient is above average, considering how much she smokes. Her cigarettes, furthermore, hardly are high quality, as she could not afford such, which aggravates the situation. Her digestive system is under threat as well since eating once per day means improper distribution of the load of it. In addition, the patient doubtlessly consumes insufficient amounts of nutrients, which bears serious risks for her general state, from exhaustion and atrophy to a fatal outcome. Essential information to specify is what exactly she normally eats; this would help to organize her diet at the medical facility as appropriate. The approximate frequency of using drugs is another important parameter, which determines the current severity of the patient’s addiction.
It is critical to remember that patient care should be holistic, in other words, not limited to physiological issues. Primarily, the nurse has to show respect toward the patient throughout the treatment to maintain his or her dignity (Smith, 2021). In the given case, this means not demonstrating any disdain or disgust even if they appear automatically; it is unacceptable to treat the patient as inferior because of her lifestyle. Therefore, the primary question for the nurse to ask himself or herself is how to look, speak, and act, so that the woman does not feel humiliated. This will be the first step to building a relationship of trust with her, which, in turn, will allow for maximally effective assistance.
It is quite apparent that the patient under review needs psychological support and guidance in addition to the medical aid at the current stage; presumably, even more. Not knowing how to manage her life herself, she doubtlessly will rely on the practitioners completely, which requires outstanding dedication from the latter. The most relevant behavior, therefore, should involve assuring the woman that the nurse knows how to help her and considers her well-being the priority.
In the area of physiology, the primary task is to assist the patient in overcoming her addiction to cigarettes and street drugs, to which she most probably will agree. The role of the nurse in this process lies in educating her about the ways to quit as well as the possible consequences of not quitting and motivating her. In addition, the nurse will perform diagnostic tests for specific data that enable the development of an individualized care plan (Mercer ABSN, 2021). The most important point is to show friendliness, compassion, and competence to ensure that the woman will follow the prescriptions.
The strategy to improve the quality of the patient’s life should rest on re-organizing her diet on a constant basis. Considering her apparent inability to have a high income in a short period, it is important to educate her on simple but healthy eating. This includes replacing sweet snacks and fast food with crops, vegetables, and any available sources of protein. Forming the basic habit of a healthy lifestyle in the woman is another critical role of a nurse in the given case. In the future, she will be able to check herself, relying on the acquired knowledge, and opt for the most relevant products to maintain her nutrition at an acceptable level.
References
Mercer ABSN. (2021). Why the role of nurses is important in healthcare. Mercer University. Web.
Smith, Yo. (2021). Roles of a nurse. News Medical. Web.