Presently, nurses have assumed the significant role of patient education. Traditionally, the role was assumed by physicians. In this regard, patients are enlightened on how they can responsibly manage their health status, and embrace a proactive role in effectively improving their health status.
Q A
In a bid to enhance the correct mode of medication, patient education is essential as the measure reduces hospital readmission, saving money, and emergency department visit. The essence is to reduce medical non-compliance (Writers, 2020). First, a nurse needs to make such a patient understand the reasons for the medication, in this case, early heart failure, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Second, the plan should include significant information such as the generic name, brand, function, and length of time of medication the medicines need to be taken, and any possible side effects or reactions (The Center for Healthcare Communication | Teaching Patients about their Medications, 2020). Third, the nurse needs to determine any existing prescriptions that the patient might be taking. For instance, in this case, the nurse would have to determine the effect of Chinese herbal therapy to determine any interaction with the prescribed drugs. Fourth, the plan would also consider the financial state of the patient to determine how the drug expenses can fit into their financial plans. Also, the nurse would be essential in developing a dosage plan with the patient, and if there are any adjustments in the course of medication.
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Q B
The nurse’s assessment of the patient’s need for alternative therapy is essential since most of the patients are embracing complementary alternative medicines (CAM), using supplements and herbal products. The responsibility of the nurse is to work with the patient in a non-judgmental way to alert of any possible negative drug interactions or any useful CAM that can complement with the prescribed drugs ( Lindquist, Tracy, & Snyder, 2018 ). Health practitioners are faced with the challenge of respecting the patient’s rights to the refusal of medication and assuring the patient of their health and safety. Striking an optimal between the two is difficult to achieve, but it is significant when attained. The best response the nurse would give to the patient is to tell him about the purpose of the medicine, the implication of not taking medicine if the patient may not understand.
Q C
Since a nurse is a health promoter, they would suggest the following life changes to improve the cardiac health of this particular patient. For instance, general life changes like quitting smoking, so that nicotine from tobacco is decreased, which accelerates increased heart rate and blood pressure. Also, the patient would be requested to drink in moderation if at all, he drinks alcohol. Additionally, moderate consumption of caffeine and eating an overall healthy diet such as fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and vegetables also limit saturation of fat and cholesterol.
References
Writers, S. (2020). Tips to Improve Patient Education - 2019 NurseJournal.org. Retrieved 17 February 2020, from https://nursejournal.org/community/tips-to-improve-patient-education/
The Center for Healthcare Communication | Teaching Patients about their Medications: The Keys to Decreasing Non-Compliance. (2020). Retrieved 17 February 2020, from https://www.communicatingwithpatients.com/articles/teaching_about_meds.html
Lindquist, R., Tracy, M. F., & Snyder, M. (Eds.). (2018). Complementary and alternative therapies in nursing . Springer Publishing Company.
