Question

You are caring for an 85-year-old female with chronic heart failure, who is hospitalized with breathing troubles. The family is very attentive and one of the two adult children is with the mother at all times. The mother’s heart stops beating and a resuscitation is started. The son is with the mother when this occurs and does not want to leave the room. The health team is initiating resuscitation efforts, the chaplain is trying to get the son out of the room. The son indicates he is staying and will not leave.

• How can you as the RN promote patient centered care, showing respect for their culture and diversity in this resuscitation situation?
• Discuss the pros and cons of the son remaining in the room.

Answer 1

The RN must concentrate only on the patient as it is a lifesaving situation. The distraction even for a second can make the resuscitation efforts fruitless. The RN should make sure that the family member’s presence is not distracting the caring procedures. The patient’s and family members preferences and culture should be considered while managing the family members.

The RN must provide culturally competent nursing care based on the patient’s individual needs, such as language, customs, beliefs and perspectives. One of the fundamental aspects of nursing care is cultural sensitivity. According to the American Nurses Association, the nurses must practice nursing with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every individual.

The patients’ s one of the two adult children is very caring towards the patient as he prefers to remain with the patient all the times. So it will be inappropriate to compelling him to leave the room.

The RN should never make assumptions or judgments about any people’s beliefs. Nurses can obtain information about the cultural practices in a professional and thoughtful manner.

The family members can visually and physically be with the patient during resuscitation which can empower the family-centred care philosophy.

The family members may have the desire to be present during resuscitation and be with the patient at their last moments. This may ease their grief process and the adjustment will be easier.

Pros:

With proper planning and preparation, the family members presence could be helpful for both the patients and themselves. The need for a support person is essential in managing the family member at the site of resuscitation.

They will be more adjusted with the bereavement process if the loss occurs.

Cons:

The people with lack of prior information may disturb the resuscitation process.

They may consider the procedure as a harsh and inappropriate one.

Some may have experienced emotional trauma after seeing the procedure.

Some educational programs and policies should be developed to facilitate family presence during resuscitation.