Question

Patient Profile #2
M.M. is a 90-year-old woman who recently had a stroke and is now in a nonresponsive state on the medical unit. She has one daughter, Jen, who has stayed with her day and night since M.M. was admitted. The health care provider informed Jen a few hours ago that there is little hope of her mother recovering. Jen is tearful and tense, questioning, “Why did this happen?” You are concerned about Jen’s health, especially with regard to her high stress level. After assessing the situation, you determine that Jen could benefit from some stress management strategies.

Subjective Data

• States she is exhausted, and cannot stop crying
• Cannot remember when she last ate
• Has not been taking her diabetes medications
• Objective Data
• Cries frequently; she appears pale and weak

• Discussion Questions

1. To develop a plan to help Jen cope with this situation, what initial information should you obtain?
2. How would you explain to Jen the possible effects of this stress on her health?
3. What interventions can you use to assist Jen in coping with her stress in this situation?

Answer 1

Iniital information should be gathered  from Jen is about her personal life, death of loved one, employment, physical and psychological illness that contribute to stress.
Untreated stress can lead to many health problems and psychological illnesses like chronic stress. when the stress response continues, and physical illness increase and stress do not stop firing, it disturbs their daily life and causes for suicide and substance abuse.
the intervention we can make in this situation to cope up with stress
-assist Jen to focus on her mind in spiritual and traditional followup and worship
-increase her attention in her hobbies and interest that help her to cope with this griefing process.
- improve her physical activity, healthy eating habits, nutrition followup, and exercise to avoid stress and manage the stress symptoms.
-Advice to adherence with followup medication reduces to stress complication.
-advise her to express her feeling, emotions, thoughts, and old memories.
-join her in a support group to share the feelings and pain.
-join her in (yoga, meditation) alternative medicine.
-refer to dietician and counseling for dietary followup and cope for stress management.