| 英文摘要 |
This article describes the nursing care of a diabetic elderly person at potential risk of spiritual distress related to respirator dependency, as well as stroke and above knee amputations. Since her family did not visit the client often, she was socially withdrawn and often wept. Due to weak respiratory muscles and coughing ability, the client was unable to wean herself off the ventilator. This situation motivated the author to take care of the client to overcome these health problems. The author took care of the client from May 3 to June 13, 2011 at a respiratory care center. Through observation, physical assessment, direct care, and interviews with family members, the author assessed the client’s physical, psychological, spiritual, family, social and cultural dimensions and analyzed the data. The diagnosed health problems included dysfunctional ventilator weaning response, and potential risk of spiritual distress et al. The nursing interventions included infection control and adjustments in nutrition. In addition, training of the client’s upper limb muscles and abdominal muscles was carried out to enhance the strength of the respiratory muscles. By listening and encouraging the client to review her life, we aroused her interest. We assisted the client in reversing the perception of the caring behaviors of her children to improve her spiritual health, and assisted her in successfully weaning herself off the ventilator. We suggest health care providers who take care of the elderly with respiratory muscle weakness utilize fun playthings or banners hanging on the drip rack, to inspire them to exercise their upper limbs. Health care providers of long term care centers should listen to their clients and increase the external information to stimulate conversation for clients lacking family support or social resources, and also apply for formal health care providers and social resources. We would like to share this caring experience and suggestions with nurses who are responsible for a patient with ventilator-dependency and potential spiritual distress. |
