care plan for a pt refusing treatment

[marsy82]

I have an eldery non english speaking patient - he's vomiting, feverish, having constant abdominal pain and BP 90/50. He has his son with him who is acting as an interpreter and is stating that his father is refusing all treatment - How do I base my care plan around this? Obviously I would get a professional interpreter to clarify his refusal and his reasons why but I guess I want to know how I plan care for somebody refusing treatment? What would be the goals?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You plan their care just like anyone else.......It doesn't matter whether you patient is refusing treatment......care plans are all about the patient and patient assessment what does he need?

he's vomiting, feverish, having constant abdominal pain and BP 90/50.

Now you address why the patient is refusing.

The goal, of course, is to get them to agree to care or have the "readiness" for care. What semester are you? What care plan book do you have?

[abeaty]

you need to know if there is a DNR and a POA for the son. Other than that just make the patient care plan as if you are helping him because until a professional interpreter arrives that is what you will have to do.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

He came to the hospital, he needs nursing care. He might be refusing a medical plan of care for whatever reason-- and perhaps you should ask someone to help you understand that, with the assistance of a professional interpreter (NOT the son)-- but he certainly needs nursing care. What would help him? Think nursing diagnoses around comfort, pain, spiritual/values.