Stress, Loss and Grieving Flashcards
what is health?
a condition of feeling mentally and physically sound
what are the basic needs?
- Air
- Food/Water
- Shelter
What is self concept made up of?
- Body image
- Self-esteem
- Role
- Identity
Can illness change or damage a person’s self concept?
yes
what is body image?
- usually measured against what society deems ideal or acceptable
- injury/illness can cause changes to both actual and perceived appearance
- adjustments can be particularly difficult for adolescents and the elderly
how does one evaluate oneself based on feedback?
praise and approval = high esteem
over criticism = low esteem
role?
part you play in the world
- how you perform in your role affects self concept
identity?
the way you see yourself
- rarely changes over time
- challenges to identity can cause dissonance
- gender identity is important in healthcare
stress?
pressure or weight placed upon oneself that causes physical or mental strain
what factors can cause stress in the hospital?
- time-sensitive situations
- patients are upset
- workers count on each other
physical symptoms of stress?
headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea and dizziness
emotional symptoms of stress?
anxiety, irritability, sadness and numbness
cognitive symptoms of stress?
decreased abilities in memory, concentration, decision-making and problem solving
behavioural symptoms of stress?
increased alcohol/substance abuse, changes in sleep patterns and changes in appetite
what are common signs of stress?
- trembling hands
- upset stomach
- tight shoulders
- sore lower back
- accelerated speech
- poor concentration
- short-temper
- anxiety
- depression
what are stressors?
- a perceived demand or threat
- can be real or perceived
common stressors in health care?
- heavy workloads - some are very time-sensitive
- high expectations
- starting at a new job/position
- budget concerns
- team environment
- personal life issues
common stressors in placement?
- fear of making mistakes
- financial
- poor diet
- lack of sleep
- harassment
- high workload
- death of a patient
- hurtful criticism
- bullying
- mental health issues
- burn-out
what is burnout?
exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration
what can burnout cause?
- decreased accomplishment
- helplessness
- deteriorating self-concept
- negativity towards work and co-workers
constructive mechanisms for dealing with stress?
- adequate nutrition
- adequate sleep
- exercise, yoga/meditation
- massage therapy
- physiotherapy or chiropractic care
- challenge negative self talk
- positive visualization
- talk through your emotions with someone you trust
- perform stress reducing strategies on a daily basis
destructive mechanisms for dealing with stress?
- increased uptake of junk food/caffeine
- too much/too little sleep
- use of drugs, alcohol, sex, self-abuse, etc.
- procrastination
- projection
- engage in critical self-talk
- focus on past or imagined future failures, “catastrophize” situations
- vent your emotions to everyone in a negative way
- self-destructive behaviours/decisions in your career/relationships
what is challenge state?
perceived resources matching or outweighing perceived demands
what is threat state?
perceived demands outweighing perceived resources
what are environmental factors?
- visual
- auditory
- sensory
procrastination
- stress and procrastination exist in a positive feedback loop
- stress can cause you to neglect your duties - can cause anxiety as the deadline approaches
Time management
- everyone has many commitments that they have to balance
- the ability to allocate appropriate time for tasks is essential for success
- this is an important skill not just for now, but for working during busy times at the hospital
time management tactics
- prioritize tasks
- allocate time for basic tasks (eating, sleeping, travelling, errands and personal relationships)
- allocate down-time (constant work can decrease performance)
- stick to a schedule
what is grief?
emotional suffering caused by a loss
what are common patient fears?
- fear of dying or being abandoned in the hospital
- fear for the future of their family
- fear of pain or death from medical procedures
- losing control of their life
- fear of the unknown
what are the 5 phases of grieving?
- denial
- anger
- bargaining
- depression
- acceptance
What kinds of loss can people suffer?
- a loved one
- body parts
- bodily function
- social/economic status
- sense of security
- possessions
attitudes that can inhibit grieving?
- trivializing
- trying too hard to be strong
- in a rush to get through grieving
behaviours that can inhibit grieving?
- poor nutrition
- lack of sleep
- self-medication
- isolation
How to help someone with grief?
- listen to them
- offer assistance
- provide ongoing support
- be aware of and avoid compassion fatigue
what is palliative care?
- focus is on making the patient comfortable
- manage symptoms and pain of terminally ill patients
- maintaining highest quality of life possible
- relieve any emotional stress
what is euthanasia?
- the practice of killing or permitting the death of a sick or injured individual in a relatively painless way
- some patients are unable to continue with pain or decreased function
- not your place as an MRT to judge
Euthanasia in Canada
legal as of 2016
Fairly strict on who can receive assistance
criteria for euthanasia in canada
- Must be at least 18 and capable of making healthcare decisions
- Must be eligible for health services in Canada
- Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition - Be in an advanced state of decline that cannot be reversed - Unbearable physical or mental suffering from the illness, disease, disability, or state of decline that cannot be relieved under conditions that the patient considers acceptable
- Must be voluntary request and give informed consent
Process of Euthanasia in Canada
- Written request must be willingly made 90 days before date of death if not reasonably foreseeable
- 2 physicians/nurse practitioners must independently confirm illness/disease/disability warrants it
- 1 independent witnesses must sign that request was free of coercion
- Explicit consent must be given in the moment before administration
Euthanasia restrictions in canada?
- not allowed under the age of 18
- not allowed in mental health cases
- no advance directives allowed
what is an advance directive?
legal documents for healthcare when patient is not longer capable of making decisions
what is the common definition of death?
no heart beat, no breathing
what is a coma?
specific parts of the brain have been damaged, but others that control breathing and circulation remain undamaged - may or may not recover
imaging of victims of sudden trauma and accidents - examples of trauma and accidents?
- car accidents
- violent crime
- natural disasters
- suicide/attempted suicide
- sexual assault
MRT and organ donation?
may need to image patients for organ donation
what are some cases that would require imaging in the morgue?
- trauma
- abuse
- suspicious death
