: Theory Application and Evaluation - Case Study Example

 Case Study: Theory Application and Evaluation Introduction Jimmy is a 35-year old AIDS patient and needs a palliative care. Jimmy is infected with Pneumocystis pneumonia that has perhaps surfaced due to HIV infection. She is also suffering from Kaposi Sarcoma that causes her immense suffering. Moreover, neuropathy coupled with dementia has made her situation more burdensome. Watson's theory of caring revolves around certain assumptions and that can be described as per the following. (Watson, 2007) 1. Caring helps satisfy human needs. 2. Interpersonal dealing is a way to demonstrate effective caring. 3. Effective caring is necessary for the individual's health and betterment. 4. Caring constitutes an integral part of nursing. 5. A proper caring environment is necessary for healthcare needs. 6. All caring responses and actions are just not to maintain status-quo of the patient but to improve his or her condition. 7. Caring and curing are complementary to each other. (Watson, 2007) described certain primary factors of care in the nurse such as humanistic altruistic system of values, establishing faith and hope, sensitivity towards self and others, accepting positive and negative feelings, using scientific ways of problem-solving and decision making, to assist for the gratification of human needs, and to develop a relationship based on trust. Jimmy is suffering from various ailments and perhaps unable to understand the complications of her disease. First of all, the nurse needs to develop a trusting relationship with her. A trusting relationship will help establish Jimmy’s faith in the system and create hope in her mind. Humanistic-altruistic System of Values According to Watson, a humanistic-altruistic system of values begins growing at an early age from parents and family members. This grows further through own life experiences and surroundings. It is an important quality and a basic foundational need for those who want to devote themselves in the nursing care. (Watson, 2007) A nursing person with an altruistic attitude is very much required while providing care to the patient such as Jimmy who is not only suffering from the intense pain due to Kaposi Sarcoma lesion in her leg but also suffering from pneumocystis pneumonia causing her a lot of distress. Faith and Hope A sense of faith and hope is largely inculcated by those who are in close care of the patient most of the time. The patients see care taker as a bridge between them and doctors. Doctors do provide cure but it is the nurse that kindles hope and faith within the patient. In the absence of hope and faith, the cure is not likely to bring the desired results. Though Jimmy being an AIDS patient, the hopes of her getting fully cured is negligible but still hope and faith created in her mind is a necessity and at times, it can do the miracles. And who else can create the hope and faith in Jimmy better than a nursing caretaker! (Watson 2007) Sensitivity toward Self and Others Sensitivity is an important attribute as prescribed by Watson and also necessary for self-growth. It makes nurse authentic in her dealings and care with the patient. When nurse develops her own feelings and emotion, she interacts in a genuine manner and then her care for the patient has a different dimension. (Watson 2007) Positive and Negative Feeling Feelings whether positive or negative helps alter behavior and thoughts and that is why they should be allowed in order to cultivate caring relationship. Scientific Ways and Problem-solving Methods for Proper Decision Making At times, nurse faces the dilemma in decision making when issues involved are critical. Nurse is required to use scientific ways and methods only while making any key decision. Scientific methods are proven and leads to positive outcomes. It provides a better way of control in the given situation and helps achieve best possible results. (Watson 2007) Gratification of Human Needs (Cherry 2011) argues that a way back Maslow prescribed the hierarchy of human needs starting from basic physiological needs at the lowest level such as food, shelter, clothing and then rising to the higher levels of safety, social, esteem and finally to the level of self-actualization. A nurse should realize that though these needs are prioritized but to provide the quality care the fulfillment of each need is important. Patient’s psychological needs are at times more important than basic needs and they should be attended with utmost sensitivity. When seen in the context of Jimmy, her physical needs are few and that may get fulfilled without much effort. Those are the psychosocial and psychophysical needs that play a crucial role in her case. Jimmy's condition is such that she cannot do any activity and chances are that her psychophysical needs will largely remain unfulfilled. A nurse needs to find means to fulfill Jimmy’s psychosocial and psychophysical needs. Conceptualizing Nursing care for Jimmy Jimmy is suffering from Pneumocystis pneumonia and AIDS. Moreover, her suffering from severe neuropathy and Kaposi's sarcoma lesion is causing her utter distress. Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic infection among the AIDS patient. Jimmy's discomfort may emerge from several areas. The respiratory discomfort is likely to be a key issue in case of Jimmy. It is required that respiratory assessment is made thoroughly by the nurse and nurse should take Jimmy's opinion regarding her breathing difficulty. Nurse can make use of graphic rating scale and should keep in mind regarding Jimmy’s reading ability. Nurse should assess if mechanical ventilation is necessary. Nurse should find out about the comfortable physical position of Jimmy that may assist her in easy breathing. Jimmy may need assistance in reaching suitable position due to dyspnea. (Cichocki, 2009) Another critical care of care in case of Jimmy is the excruciating pain that she is suffering from. Jimmy is suffering from the Kaposi’s sarcoma lesion (Cichocki, 2007) in her right leg and severe neuropathy deserves more caring attitude. A caring moment asks for a choice and an action and that needs to be transpersonal where the patient and nurse feel a connection with each other at the spiritual level. Watson’s theory has more strengths than weaknesses and can be listed as per the following. Strengths The most positive aspect of the Watson's theory is that it provides focus on patient in the context of the community, family and the culture. It is relatively simple to apply and also logical in nature. It gets the good support from the theoretical work of psychologists, philosophers and humanists. Weaknesses It gives more stress on psychosocial needs of the patient and less focus on biophysical needs. References 1. Watson, J (2007), Watson's Theory of Human Caring and Subjective Living Experiences, retrieved December 2, 2011 from, http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/pdf/714/71416116.pdf 2. Cherry, K. (2011), Hierarchy of Needs, retrieved December 2, 2011 from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm 3. Cichocki, Mark (2007), the Facts about Kaposi's Sarcoma, retrieved December 2, 2011 from, http://aids.about.com/cs/conditions/a/kaposi.htm 4. Cichocki, Mark (2009), PCP - Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, retrieved December 2, 2011 from, http://aids.about.com/cs/conditions/a/pcpguide.htm 5. Lamb, R.; Dodge, R.(2009), Care of the AIDS Patient With Pneumocystis Pneumonia, retrieved December 2, 2011 from, http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=945263 Read More