help me pls.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2013

Well, an assessment would be a good place to start!

First, you'd want to ensure that a full physical assessment was done on the patient. You'd also want to gather a full health history to include surgeries, past medical problems, medications, etc. Remember, holistic healthcare is a main focus of nursing--you want to look at the whole person, so you need to gather the info to get a complete clinical view of the patient.

Next, you'd want to discuss treatment options with the patient and ensure their understanding of how X treatment would affect this condition or that condition. In the end, YOU cannot ensure that treatment decisions are made based on holistic care if the patient is still medically competent to make their own decisions. All you can ensure is that your teaching was thorough, holistically-based and explained to the patient so that they can understand it.

In the end, it's the patient's choice!

Example:

Mr. X has cancer and congestive heart failure (CHF). The regimen that the physicians want to give Mr. X to combat his cancer has the potential to worsen his CHF. This was noted by nursing, who did an assessment, reviewed the pt's health history and notified the oncology fellow of this potential problem.

The fellow and patient along with the nurse discussed the pros and cons of continuing treatment for the cancer as well as how to manage the CHF should the patient want to continue treatment. There was no other treatment indicated for the cancer other than the regimen the fellow had proposed.

The patient then has a decision--does Mr. X decide to receive treatment and try new meds with potential new side effects to manage his CHF? Does he try the treatment and simply monitor his CHF, treating if necessary? Or does he discontinue his treatment for cancer altogether?

Ultimately, medicine and nursing educate. The patient decides.

allnurses Guide · Jun 29, 2013

Can anyone help me on how to make a presentation on this topic " as key worker how would you ensure that the treatment decisions are based on holistic assessment?" I dont know where to start. Pls pls help me. Thanks.[/quote']
What specialty do you work in, will this be mental health keyworker or are you looking at chronic or complex care needs
Do you have documents or guidance that will support your assessment, we use decision support tools, and unified care assessments, the structure in those documents may give you some guidance

mayflower2000, RN · Jun 29, 2013

Well, an assessment would be a good place to start!
First, you'd want to ensure that a full physical assessment was done on the patient. You'd also want to gather a full health history to include surgeries, past medical problems, medications, etc. Remember, holistic healthcare is a main focus of nursing--you want to look at the whole person, so you need to gather the info to get a complete clinical view of the patient.
Next, you'd want to discuss treatment options with the patient and ensure their understanding of how X treatment would affect this condition or that condition. In the end, YOU cannot ensure that treatment decisions are made based on holistic care if the patient is still medically competent to make their own decisions. All you can ensure is that your teaching was thorough, holistically-based and explained to the patient so that they can understand it.
In the end, it's the patient's choice!
Example:
Mr. X has cancer and congestive heart failure (CHF). The regimen that the physicians want to give Mr. X to combat his cancer has the potential to worsen his CHF. This was noted by nursing, who did an assessment, reviewed the pt's health history and notified the oncology fellow of this potential problem.
The fellow and patient along with the nurse discussed the pros and cons of continuing treatment for the cancer as well as how to manage the CHF should the patient want to continue treatment. There was no other treatment indicated for the cancer other than the regimen the fellow had proposed.
The patient then has a decision--does Mr. X decide to receive treatment and try new meds with potential new side effects to manage his CHF? Does he try the treatment and simply monitor his CHF, treating if necessary? Or does he discontinue his treatment for cancer altogether?
Ultimately, medicine and nursing educate. The patient decides.

thank you very much for your ideas.

mayflower2000, RN · Jun 29, 2013

What specialty do you work in, will this be mental health keyworker or are you looking at chronic or complex care needs
Do you have documents or guidance that will support your assessment, we use decision support tools, and unified care assessments, the structure in those documents may give you some guidance

Hi. I am applying for a haematology nurse specialist job.