Question

Here is the scenario I need help with: What if ...You are a home health aide who has been assigned to care for 84 year old Mr. Chen who has just been discharged from the hospital. Since moving to the U.S. he has been having a great deal of problems with his digestive system. While in the hospital he was diagnosed with Adult Onset Diabetes, Frequent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea has caused him to be weak and needing help while recovering at home. Mr. Chen has only been in the U.S. for a short time. He is originally from Chine and has limited English speaking abilities. What are 5 potential barriers the nurse aide will encounter when trying to meet the care and nutritional needs of Mr. Chen? What are 5 techniques the nurse aide can use to overcome potential obstacles?

Examples given:

Communication:

The nurse aide will find out if Mr. Chen speaks and understands the things they am saying. If he does not: then they could....

Nutrition:

Mr. Chen has diarrhea and nausea. According to research about the Asian diet, it is found many Chinese people are lactose intolerant, so perhaps soy products.... What are other potential barriers/techniques to overcome those said barriers?

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Answer 1

1. The nurse aide will find that Mr. Chen will little understand of English so the language became a barrier for the care. If he does not understand the language, then she could make available of family members who well known of English while caring of the patient, Use of the telephonic interpreter, use of communication board, charts, pictures, translating guide etc.

2. The nurse aide will find that the patient cross-cultural values will decrease patient satisfaction. To prevent this, the nurse should understand the patient's cultural values, norms and to respect them and promote culturally competent care.

3. The nurse aide will find that the patient will find difficulty in dietary changes due to acculturation which results in vomiting and diarrhea. The nurse develops a dietary plan for this patient by including more of soy products, steamed foods, vegetables, and spinach.

4. The nurse will find difficulty in the administrating of medications as the chine was believed in traditional treatments. In such situations, The nurse can ask open-ended questions of alternative medicines of what they use and its effects. The nurse has to teach about drug interaction with alternative medicine and to consult with the physician in taking of alternative medicines.

5. The nurse will find difficulty in accessing health care services. Due to the increased age of the patient, the low literacy level as of immigrants, economic status, lack of health insurance results in inequity in accessing health care services. The nurse has to educate about the easy access to health services, providing health information, and to continue with follow-up of care.