Case Study: Mrs. Adams, a 68-year-old widow who was referred to case management upon discharge from the hospital based on her physician’s recommendation that she is not able to care for herself independently. Her diagnosis is diabetes, hypertension, and breast cancer. She is 5 days’ post-op from a right sided mastectomy. Mrs. Adams apartment is located in a low-income area of the city where crime is prevalent. Upon assessment by the Community Health Nurse, Mrs. Adams apartment was in disorder with minimal airflow or light. Her clothes appeared unchanged and she had no food in the apartment. The small apartment also housed 3 cats and a small dog who Mrs. Adams considers family since the death of her husband 1 year ago. Mrs. Adams complains of pain and draining from her surgical site and a broken air conditioner.
- Using Nightingale’s Environmental Theory, what actions would the nurse take upon the first assessment? What are the five essential components?
- What would be an appropriate plan of care be for Mrs. Adams? How would you prioritize the care plan?
- Apply Nightingale’s Environmental Theory to an area of nursing practice? What patient-population would benefit from this approach? Support this practice change with at least one evidenced-based article.
