Spirituality in Nursing

1. Julius, a 17-year-old male, with a history of smoking of one pack a day for a year, and is currently suffering from a current cancer of the bone, has been hospitalized with fever and neutropenia (decreased neutrophil cells, a component of white blood cells), these are common complications of his recent chemotherapy.

When Julius was first diagnosed, he was told that this type of cancer was malignant and had already spread from the primary site in his pelvis (hip bone) to his lungs. His treatment was consisted of surgery, a year of chemotherapy, and six weeks of radiation.

Now, a chest X-ray reveals a large lesion (abnormal cell) in his right lung and a large tumor (abnormal mass of cell) in his pelvis. For that reason, Julius asks if his mother can stay overnight in the hospital with him; on past admissions, he has preferred to spend time alone or with friends. Julius also tells the health care team that he wants to hear his scan results and treatment options at the same time with his parents. His parents would prefer to keep all bad news as a secret, but they agree to grant his wishes. However, this decision deeply upsets Julius grandmother. On the next visit, Julius said.

Why does grandmother always have to pray the rosary over me doesnt she know it doesnt work?

QUESTIONS: a. Determine the nursing diagnosis related to the alterations of spiritual integrity of the patient. And Develop a nursing care plan. (30 pts) b. According to Fowlers seven faith stages, the patient belongs to synthetic conventional faith stage. Describe the adolescents spirituality at this stage. (15 pts) ANSWERS: a. Risk for Spiritual Distress related to physical illness. b. According to James Fowlers seven faith stages, the client belongs to the Synthetic Conventional Faith Stage synthetic-conventional faith. In early adolescence, with their increased capacity to think abstractly ("formal operations"), the young person's principal task is to relate his or her own religious views with the incompatible views of others. They may conceive of God as a personal adviser and guide, but in a less personalized fashion than previously. , since the clients age is 17, he gains experiences outside his family. He gains it from work, school, with peers and from the media. Faith provides a basis for identity and outlook. Fowlers definition of this faith stage provides an understanding of how the ill adolescent may relate to both family and peer support and interaction during a crisis situation. Any conflicts with one's beliefs are ignored at this stage due to the fear of threat from inconsistencies. 2.

Pearl Rogers is a 79-year-old Filipino American woman who is admitted to the Methodist Home Nursing Center. Mrs. Rogers lived with her husband of 58 years until his death 9 months ago. She had one son who died in an auto accident 2 years ago, and she has one daughter who lives nearby. After her husbands death, Mrs. Rogers lived with her daughter until her admission to the nursing center. Mrs. Rogers has become increasingly agitated and helpless, complaining constantly of pain. Her daughter states that Mrs. Roger is chronically constipated, has difficulty sleeping and has stopped engaging in all social activities, including weekly church services. She cries frequently. Extensive medical testing prior to her admission to the nursing center revealed Mrs. Rogers has arthritis but no other pathologic disorder.

Assessment On admission to the nursing center, Mrs. Rogers says, Im a sick woman, and no one will listen to me! I cant walk, Im so weak. My head hurts, and Im always sick at my stomach. I havent had a bowel movement in a week, and I never sleep more that 3 hours a night. Physical assessment finding include swollen knees and ankles, with limited mobility of the lower extremities. Spiritual assessment includes expression of feelings of having temporarily lost or terminated the love of God.

a. Determine nursing diagnosis related to alterations in spiritual integrity and develop a nursing care plan. (30 pts)

Answer:

a. Chronic Sorrow, related to an unending caregiving as a constant reminder of loss.

3. Describe your interpretation of illness as a transformative vehicle. (10 pts) Answer: Illness as a transformative vehicle towards consciousness and self discovery. If illness is meant to teach us stuff then the illness is just an initiator of greater things. And so it doesnt fit on the aging time line but rather on a learning timeline. Discomfort has been the source of how you feel the enjoyment of life to the fullest. you have to learn to play, to relax through meditation, to start using the power of universal energy. So listen to your body illness is a turning point and remember we are all totally individual. Two people with the same problem might need different solutions. For example someone with heart problems might need to exercise and clean up their diet, while another might need to start some form of meditation. Healing is not achieved by the power of the mind or taking a tablet. True healing is achieved through the integration of body, mind and spirit