Question

Discuss the acute stress response. What nursing interventions can the nurse implement in the care plan to reduce stress and promote a healing environment? How can the nurse involve the family in the care of the critically ill patient?

Answer 1

Acute stress response

The emotional pressure suffered by a human being is called stress. Acute stress response is a condition in which a group of symptoms occurs as a result of a stressful event. It may occur suddenly, but may not last long. This condition may  mainly occur due to unexpected life crisis such as a death of loved one , traumatic events, series accidents, war , natural disasters   etc.

The major symptoms of Acute stress response sre:

* Unpleasant flash blacks and dreams

* Psychological symptoms like irri3tability, low mood, Poor concentration , social withdrawal and emotional numbness etc.

* Avoid conversation, situation and persons , who or that trigger the memories of the person

* Physical symptoms of Acute stress response are Headache, chest pain , palpitations breathing difficulties etc.

Counselling and Cognitive behavioural therapy can surely help the patient. Diazepam and Beta blockers are the drugs used to reduce the symptoms of Acute stress response.

2. Nursing Interventions:

To reduce stress and promote healing environment , Nurse can do the following interventions:

* Assess the severity of the symptoms and the level stress: To get a baseline data and information ( rationale)

* Arrange or conduct a counselling session and encourage the ventilation of feelings and emotions:

Verbal expression of feelings can reduce the aggression or irritability

* Assist the client in identifying new methods of coping  

* Facilitates a Cognitive behavioural session forthe client:

to substitute the negative cognitions into positive .

* Provide a calm and safe environment for the patient:

Calm environment can increase the rest and sleep of the patient.

3 . Involvement of family in the care of critically ill patient:

Critically ill patients are the patients , who are acutely ill and whose vital signs are unstable. A nurse has to involve family members also in the planning and implementation of care . A nurse has to :

* Establish a trusting relationship with the client and the family members.  

* Involve them in setting the short term and long term goal for the client.

* Teach the family members for homecare and about medications

* Instruct the patient and family members not to stop drugs abruptly and to report in case of adverse effects.

* Encourage the family members to attend the health education and understand the disease process.  

* Before signing in a consent, the family/ spouse has to get clarified with all the doubts regarding the medical procedures.