Coping with Disabling Illness and/or Injury

Question 1

a condition that lasts 1 year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both

Answer 1

chronic disease

Question 2

list examples of chronic disease

Answer 2

heart disease
cancer
chronic lung disease
stroke
alzheimers disease
diabetes
chronic kidney disease

Question 3

what is chronic disease often associated with

Answer 3

depression

Question 4

list signs of clinical depression

Answer 4

• depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
• weight loss or gain
• sleep disturbances
• problems with concentration, restlessness
• apathy
• feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• fatigue or loss of energy
• thoughts of death or suicide

Question 5

what are the 5 stages of gried

Answer 5

denial
angler
bargaining
depression
acceptance

Question 6

describe some characteristics of denial

Answer 6

• internal thoughts of numbness, how/if/why to go on
• state of shock or denial
• with gradual acceptance of reality and questioning comes the beginning of the healing process

Question 7

describe some characteristics of anger

Answer 7

• underneath anger is pain, which is an indication of the intensity of love
• may extend to God, family, friends, medical team
• try to redirect their anger, tell the pt to control what they can in the moment

Question 8

describe some characteristics of bargaining

Answer 8

• become lost in max of if only/what if
• trying to negoitate their way out of hurt
• want life to return to what it was before (remain in the past)
• guilt is often bargaining’s companion (thinking if only we would have done something different)

Question 9

describe some characteristics of depression

Answer 9

• attention moves from the past to present
• not a sign of mental illness (temporary)
• appropriate response to great loss
• not experiencing depression after a loved one dies would be unusual

Question 10

describe some characteristics of acceptance

Answer 10

• acceptance does not mean they are all right or okay
• accepting that reality that the loved on is physically gone and that this is the new reality is now permanent
• new norms
• more good days than bad days (will still have bad days)

Question 11

how to talk and listen to those experiencing loss

Answer 11

• acknowledge the situation
• express your concern
• ask how they feel
• be willing to sit in silence
• offer your support
• be genuine in your communication
• do not tell the person you know how they feel
• be empathetic, not sympathetic

Question 12

policies and programs that enable healthcare workers to lift, transfer, reposition or move pts in a way to avoid injury

Answer 12

safe pt handling

Question 13

what did a study show when no gait was used in pts with increased age/cognitive impairments

Answer 13

increased the odds of falling unassisted

Question 14

what did using a gait belt lead to in the study

Answer 14

decreased odds of injury (when falling)

Question 15

examples of when it may be okay not to use a gait belt on a patient

Answer 15

• pt is combative or unpredictable
• have medical conditions that would prevent their safe usage (colonostomy/ileostomy surgery, severe respiratory problem, severe cardiac condition, recent abdominal/chest/back surgery)
• pt refuses