Question

Case Study Susanna Randolph is a 40-year-old single African American mother, living in a suburban townhouse with her 10-year-old son, Jeff, who has autism. She keeps in regular contact with Jeff’s father, who runs a high-tech start-up company. Ms. Randolph pursued a successful career as a medical technologist until her son’s diagnosis. After she resigned from her post as a laboratory supervisor, she was able to get a position working at home as an instructional designer for a nearby laboratory. When Ms. Randolph gets stressed, she finds that she tends to decrease her physical activity rather than increase her exercise time or intensity. Her sleep pattern mirrors that of her son; when he sleeps well, she sleeps well. When he has insomnia, she stays up with him. Ms. Randolph and Jeff enjoy brushing their teeth together in their small bathroom, looking in the mirror at their images.

Question 1 You are the public health nurse who has Ms. Randolph and her son on your home visit schedule. What questions would you ask Ms. Randolph about her wellness routine that might lead to positive changes?

Question 2 How does her concern for her son affect her plans for her own health? What factors can you use to motivate her?

Question 3 What priorities would you assign to your work with this family?

Answer 1

Question 1

You are the public health nurse who has Ms. Randolph and her son on your home visit schedule. What questions would you ask Ms. Randolph about her wellness routine that might lead to positive changes?

The public health nurse should ask questions related to Jeff's activity level and developmental problems. The nurse should also ask questions about the stress and related illness of Ms. Randolph in caring for her son. She must also ask about awareness of resources, the support networks that might help them in their wellness. Ask about her sleeping pattern, physical activity, and its impacts on her wellness.

Question 2

How does her concern for her son affect her plans for her own health? What factors can you use to motivate her?

Motivate her to do daily routine physical exercise to relieve stress and related factors. Encourage her to spend regular time to improve her wellness. Make a practice of her son with routine activities and sleep patterns to promote good sleeping habits which is important for the well-being of both the mother and her son. Advice her to engage Jeff with some tasks so that he will not disturb her during her work. Get help from medico-social resources if needed.

Question 3

What priorities would you assign to your work with this family?

The public health nurse should give priority in assessing developmental and behavior changes in Jeff. The nurse should develop a plan for daily routine schedules for both the mother and son to improve wellness. Regular visits, referrals, and follow up of child for a positive outcome. Engage Ms. Randolph in recreational activities to relieve stress.