Question

Case Study 2

You are an RN working in community care, visiting Amita, a 76-year-old with a chronic and painful venous ulcer on her lower leg. She takes multiple medications for chronic illness and a codeine-based medication for pain. Amita lives alone in her own home.

3. How would Amita’s chronic pain impact on her ability to maintain a safe environment?

Consider how chronic pain, particularly a leg ulcer may make it difficult for Amita to maintain a safe environment. Key points - chronic pain, what is a ‘safe’ environment, and the impact on Amita’s ability to maintain a safe environment given this scenario. Falls is only one concern, but what impacts this risk? Nurses' role – analyze the nurse’s role in facilitating Amita to achieve a safe environment and consider facilitators, barriers, and what you can do as a nurse. 

Answer 1

Chronic pain is pain last for more than six months. Chronic pain will affects the patient's daily activity and quality of life. Mainly leg ulcer pain affect activity intolerance it will impact on ability to maintain safe environment. She can't able to do physical activity and daily activities independently. Fail to ensure daily cleaning and disinfecting surroundings.

She is having more risk for falls due to limitations in mobility and undertaking daily living activities.

Nurses role to facilitate safe environment:

1)Provide psychological support and keep interpersonal relationship with patient.

2)Reduce the risk of infection by disinfecting of hands, surface and equipments.

3) Assist patient to do their daily activities.

4) Encourage and help patient to do elevate leg and leg exercises. Provide comfortable position to the patient.

5) Educate patient not not sit and stand for longer. Keep them active.

6) Cleanse patient leg to avoid infection. Apply sterile dressing on ulcer area.

7) Provide proper garments for parient. Feel them comfortable.

8) Provide protein rich diet for patient for healing of wound. Administrator pain management medicine as per doctors order.