Prader-Willi Syndrome

Brooke Martin
Report #2 - Prader-Willi Syndrome Prader-Willi Syndrome, an imprinted disorder, is caused by the absence of paternal chromosome fifteen, at least in approximately seventy percent of all cases. In other unlikely cases, a child may have inherited two copies of chromosome fifteen from its mother, which is referred to as maternal uniparental disomy. Similarly, in vitro fertilisation may increase the risk of a mother birthing a child with an imprinted disorder. PWS can cause delayed development, low muscle strength and tone, stunted growth, difficulties feeding, obesity, infertility, and behavior problems. Infants with PWS have “insatiable appetites” which causes them to overeat and can result in obesity into adulthood, and even death,

Ethically, as a Nursing Assistant, I would treat everyone fair and equally, promote their well-being, and be trustworthy and truthful to whom I am caring for. I would ensure that their status be kept private, and their physical and mental well being be given the best standard of care. Doing what is right, and ethically correct, can be the difference between life and death in the healthcare industry. Those with Prader-Willi Syndrome deserve the same amount of empathy and care as any other patient. In regard to communicating with those affected by PWS, I would be able to communicate with them just like I would any other patient. They don’t experience any form of hearing loss or difficulties communicating, unless they are between the ages of two and five, or have hearing problems caused by an unrelated factor. As infants, babies affected by PWS tend to develop slower than “average”, so they may have some difficulties articulating and speaking as children, and as older adults it is not uncommon for them to develop a psychiatric illness. In these cases, I would use gestures and short and simple sentences. Besides communication itself, I would be sure

Some patients in my care may be full grown adults, and they deserve to be talked to in such manner, this condition does not make them any less of a person. When caring for someone with PWS, standard precautions should be taken. Prader-Willi Syndrome can not be transmitted through the air, through large droplets, or transmitted in any fashion. When entering the patient's room I would be sure to wash my hands, as with every patient, wear disposable gloves, don my personal protective equipment (PPE), clean up any contaminated items or spills efficiently and promptly, and handle sharps correctly by placing them in the designated sharps container. The first step towards stopping the chain of infection is to wash your hands properly, building up a lather for at least twenty seconds and rinsing and drying your hands. Furthermore, there are two vital sign changes that I, as a Certified Nursing Assistant, should be aware of. If a patient’s respirations and or pulse are thready and shallow, a nurse should be notified immediately. This could mean that oxygen saturation is being compromised, and