Scenario
A woman arrived alone for triage after being bitten on her right hand by a dog. She presented with puncture wounds, swelling, redness, numbness in her fingers, and significant pain. Due to the numbness, possible tendon injury, and severity of symptoms, the triage clinician classified the case as level three and arranged for treatment in the emergency department rather than urgent care. When the receiving nurse questioned this decision and handled the patient’s injured hand, the clinician privately explained the medical rationale. The nurse dismissed the concerns, labeling the patient as a frequent visitor seeking drugs. As a result, the patient was left distressed, and the clinician faced frustration from a colleague who disagreed with the assessment.
Choosing an Inquiry Strategy for the Case
In the described case, the woman has been bitten by the dog and refused adequate care due to the nurse’s prejudice. The relational inquiry strategy that can be applied to this scenario is the Act to Promote Well-Being approach. Its purpose is to help people appreciate and recognize the positive aspects and experiences, especially in challenging circumstances (Doane & Varcoe, 2020). The evident difficulty in the described case is the physical pain combined with social ostracism that the woman was experiencing when she was labeled as a drug seeker.
Applying the Act to Promote Well-Being
Looking for Capacity
Checkpoint 3:1 involves looking for capacity, which means identifying the patient’s strengths, resources, and potential for healing. In relation to the given case study, the nurse can implement this checkpoint by evaluating the woman’s overall health, including any illnesses that may impact her recovery from the dog’s bite. To determine if the woman has someone who can assist her during her rehabilitation, the nurse can also examine the woman’s social support system. For instance, the nurse could inquire with the patient about any family members or friends who could assist with everyday tasks while the patient’s hand heals.
Taking in the Good
Checkpoint 3:2 involves taking in the good, which means focusing on the positive aspects of the patient’s situation to promote healing and well-being. In this case, the nurse might implement this step by expressing empathy for the woman’s suffering and assuring that her wounds will be treated quickly and adequately, which is crucial for the patient’s confidence (Johansen, 2022). For instance, the nurse can suggest painkillers to the patient and describe how they will help alleviate the patient’s discomfort. By empathizing with the woman’s worries and listening to her issues, the nurse can also offer emotional support.
Identifying the Join
Checkpoint 3:3 involves identifying the join, which means finding common ground between healthcare providers to facilitate collaboration and promote patient well-being. By attempting to comprehend the worries of the colleague who accused the patient of engaging in drug-seeking behavior in this instance, the nurse can put this checkpoint into practice. The nurse might clarify any misunderstandings or biases by asking the colleague why she thinks the patient is a drug seeker. It would allow the nurse to uphold the ethical value of respecting client well-being (Practice standards. Ethics, 2019). Overall, applying the Act to Promote Well-Being strategy can help nurses deliver comprehensive care to patients while fostering teamwork to enhance their overall well-being.
References
Doane, G. & Varcoe, C. (2020). How to nurse: Relational inquiry in action (2nd ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Johansen, A. (2022). What role does empathy play in nursing? Daily Nurse.
Practice standards. Ethics. (2019).