Maria Hernandez Case Study essay

MariaHernandez Case Study

1.Non-pharmacological measures for pain relief

Thereare various non-pharmacological measures that can be used to relievepain. Such measures include massage therapy, which helps in relaxingtight muscles hence relieving pain. This can be performed on Maria’sbody (Williamsetal.,2009).Physical therapy is another measure, which relies on exercise to helpimprove on strength and movement hence dismissing pain. The nurse canuse this measure to improve patient’s strength and movement inorder to discharge pain (Williamsetal.,2009).Furthermore, spinal cord stimulation is one of the effectivenon-pharmacological measures. This can be achieved by fixing anelectrode in Maria’s spinal cord in order to relax the nerves thatcause pain.

2.Signs that possibly indicate complication for the patient

Thereare various vital signs that indicate Maria’s complication. Some ofthese signs include malignant transformation, in this case, thepatient’s cells will acquire cancerous properties (Hardingetal.,2002).Secondly,the patient can suffer from amyloidosis. This disease is as a resultof misfolded proteins that buildup in the wound which are normallyinsoluble in water (Hardingetal.,2002).Finally, the patient’s wound can contain harmful and toxicbacterial. A situation referred to as Sepsis(Hardingetal.,2002).

3.Description of nursing diagnosis, treatment, and consideration of thediagnosis

Diagnosisis the second nursing process after assessment. The nurse usesinformation obtained from assessment phase to make a professionaljudgment (Gordon,2012). In this case, the nurse identified the following problemnon-healing sacral ulcer, which was cause of the patient’s pain.Similarly, in the initial assessment, the patient’s pain was thegreatest concern since a plan of care is typically based on intensityof pain. Although Maria had a non-healing sacral ulcer, the pressingissue was the pain. Therefore, the nurse proposed non-pharmacologicalmeasures that could be used to relief her from the pain (Gordon,2012).Massage therapy could be carried out to the patient for a period of 5hours. According to Gordon(2012), massagerelief patients from serious pain within duration of 4-5 hours.

Nevertheless,after the nurse performed massage therapy, the patient was notcomplaining of pain. The pain is the primary focus for this casestudy. Furthermore, after the patient was relieved from pain, nursethen focused on surgical debridement.

Painwas first consideration made by the nurse since he or she decided tocarry out a massage to relief Maria from the pain before performingsurgical debridement (Gordon,2012).Therefore, it can be concluded that pain was the pressing issue.After the pain was relieved the patient was admitted for surgery.

Reference

Gordon,M. (2012).&nbspNursingdiagnosis: Process and application.Mosby Inc.

Harding,K. G., Morris, H. L., &amp Patel, G. K. (2002).Healing chronicwounds.Britishmedical journal,&nbsp324(7330),160.

Williams,A. M., Davies, A., &amp Griffiths, G. (2009). Facilitating comfortfor hospitalized patients using non‐pharmacologicalmeasures: Preliminary development of clinical practice guidelines.&nbspInternationaljournal of nursing practice,&nbsp15(3),145-155.