CHAPTER 10 HOME HEALTHCARE 53
Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing:a.A 76-year-old man with advanced cancer
is being sent home with a catheter and a
patient-controlled analgesic pump. He lives
alone, but his son lives 45 minutes away
and has promised to check on him once a
day. Members of his church have offered to
visit him and bring him a meal once a day.
b.A 32-year-old man with advanced AIDS is
being sent home to spend his remaining
days with his parents. His life partner died
of AIDS the previous year, and he is angry
about his situation. His parents do not
accept his condition and lifestyle, but offer
to take care of his healthcare needs.
c.A young single mother who lives with her
boyfriend is released from the hospital with
an infant who has Down syndrome. Both
the mother and her boyfriend work, and
two incomes are needed to maintain the
household. The mother has expressed con-
cerns about being able to give her infant
the proper treatment and attention.
2.Volunteer to help a home healthcare nurse
who is practicing in the field. See how this pro-
fessional bridges the gap between hospital and
long-term facility care. Interview some of the
patients and ask them if they feel their health-
care needs are being met by home healthcare
agencies. Ask the home healthcare nurse if
he/she feels the system is working and, if
appropriate, what could be done to provide a
higher quality of care for these patients.REFLECTIVE PRACTICE USING CRITICAL
THINKING SKILLS
Use the following expanded scenario from
Chapter 10 in your textbook to answer the
questions below.Scenario:Alphonse Califano is a 72-year-old
widower who lives alone. He was recently
discharged from the hospital, where he had
been treated for diabetic foot ulcers. He has a
history of diabetes, hypertension, and renal
disease. A home healthcare nurse is visiting
him once a week.
1.What is the role of the home healthcare
nurse in providing continuity of care for
Mr. Califano?2.What would be a successful outcome for this
patient?3.What intellectual, technical, interpersonal,
and/or ethical/legal competencies are most
likely to bring about the desired outcome?4.What resources might be helpful for
Mr. Califano?LWBK696-C10_p49-53.qxd 9/2/10 9:22 AM Page 53 Aptara Inc