Question

Nurses, Pharmacy Technicians, Lab Assistants and other health care workers are expected to make decisions on a daily basis and many spend their entire working day trying to solve problems in order to get their work done. Most health care professionals, if you asked them, would tell you that they have good reasons for the decisions they make, and that they have a process for problem solving. But, do they?

• Do they use defined and established elements of reasoning for decision-making and problem solving?
• Do they recognize the assumptions they make about clients and situations and the negative results those assumptions can have?
• Do they avoid mistakes in reasoning?

The purpose of this assignment is to help you see how you make decisions and problem solve. Read the 3 scenarios and answer the following questions for EACH scenario. Be sure to explain why you have answered in the way that you have.

1. What assumptions have been made in each scenario?

(definition of assumption – a thing that is accepted as true or certain to happen, without proof)

2. What are the consequences if those assumptions are incorrect?

(definition of consequence – a result or effect of an action or condition, usually thought of as a negative)

3. Put yourself into the situation and tell me how you would have handled it differently.

Scenario #2: 5 points

You are assigned to do therapy with a patient in Room 221, named Jim Tate, age 23. On entering the room you see an older women sitting at the bedside, and you say, "Good morning, could you leave the room please while your son and I do his therapy." Jim insists his visitor stay, and you insist she leave, "tied to his mother's apron strings," you think. You say, "Your Mother cannot stay in the room, it's against hospital policy." Well, it's not really against policy, but saying that gets visitors out of your way.

Answer 1

A. What assumptions have been made in each scenario

1. Assuming that mother may feel hurt when the therapy is carried out

2. Assuming that child would react more and avoid to participate in therapy in presence of mother

3. Assuming that health worker would face stressed to perform therapy in presence of mother

B. What are the consequences if those assumptions are incorrect

1. The mother’s presence might be fruitful during the procedure

2. The child would feel safe in presence of the mother

3. The health care would not face any stress and the procedure is done easily

Scenario #2.5 how differently would you have approached

In the present scenario it is noted that the therapist answers assertively which can be avoided be different approach

a. Assess what type of therapy is to be provided

b. Note the hospital policy for the therapy accordingly

c. Elective procedures are not done in presence of the parents/guardians

d. Factors that are taken into consideration are, age of the child, type of unit, type of procedure, duration of procedure, number of health care assistants needed and present

e. Make assumptions what would happen if the mother stays and does not stay

f. Chose much compassionate approach

The correct approach would be,

Good Morning Jim how are you feeling

Now, I am therapist and I am assigned to do a procedure which would require both of us to be alone. Is it ok for you

Can I request you mother to stay outside for few minutes so that I can assess you and provide you the therapy.

If the patient insists

Jim, the procedure which I would carryout is an aseptic one, which requires more clean and no infection protocol, the hospital policy would not allow me to keep your mother around, its too risky. Your mother would not want you to be hurt won’t she… and she would available right at the corner and you can call her anytime you want.