Question

You are a nurse in a busy rehabilitation unit. The client you are caring for is an 18 year-old male who was critically injured in an automobile accident 2 months ago. He is comatose at the present time but stable, but his prognosis, though guarded, suggests that he should come out of the coma at some date. Residual neurological defects are unknown, but his physical injuries have healed.  

His mother is at his side holding his hand. She spent all of her time with her son while he was in the hospital and is with him now in rehab. The strain is beginning to take its toll. She appears to be extremely tired, has dark circles under her eyes, and states she hasn’t really slept well since her son’s accident. She doesn’t want to leave him because she wants to be there if he wakes. She tells you that she has two younger children still in high school who have been cared for by her husband since the accident, but that he is getting tired too. The two teens at home are calling her constantly wondering when she will be coming home. She is wringing her hands, crying, and states, “I don’t know what to do. I’m being torn apart.” “Also, I haven’t worked since the accident and our finances are suffering as well. “

What is the nursing diagnosis?

Answer 1

Nursing diagnosis for the above case will be

Caregiver role strain related to the recovery of the patient as manifested by tired look, dark circles and patient verbalisation.

This diagnosis is a well-described family phenomenon that can be measured and predicted

Nurses can play significant part in reducing the role strain caregivers feel or preventing its occurence