Nursing Case Study Asthma

Needs that are meet

The first need that is being met is belonginess and love. Imelda has a family unit of two parents and five siblings it appears from the case study that her parents are concerned for her physical and emotional wellbeing which is a positive that they recognize Imelda’s physical needs such as her medication for her asthma and also her emotional needs such as her anxiety. Imelda’s mother checked with the pharmacy to see was Imelda refilling her prescription this demonstrates that her mother cares for her. Imelda’s parents are also concerned about her anxiety and they have noticed that she’s not eating or sleeping well.

Another need that is being met is her physiological need that her medication is available for her condition

Imelda’s father breeds dogs and he is also a smoker. This would impact on the air in the home which is noted in the symptoms that the smoke and dogs could make her asthma worse. Imelda has had exacerbations recently.

Imelda needs a lot of medications including long term oral steroids, prevented inhaler and a blue inhaler however she has not refilled her prescription for these I the last month, which would cause concern for the management of Imelda’s asthma of the impact that this would have on her physically need.

Another need that is a cause of concern is her psychological need. Imelda is studying hard for her Leaving Cert however she herself states, “that she isn’t studying as much as her peers. Imelda is also anxious and agitated and not sleeping which would cause concern for her emotional need because one of Imelda’s basic needs is sleep which she isn’t getting enough of and if Imelda continues not sleeping well this could impact on a lot of things. “The impact of sleepiness on mood and mental health. Lack of sleep can alter your mood significantly. It causes irritability and anger and may lessen your ability to cope with stress. Chronic sleepiness puts you at greater risk for depression.”

Positive reinforcement - It’s important to look at Imelda’s strengths & positives and this will help encourage Imelda to continue where she is strong and build up her self-esteem and keep giving her praise. It would also be important to encourage her parents and look at what they are doing right. Skinner was a theorist who explores reinforcement. Skinners law of reinforcement states, “actions are immediately followed by rewards (reinforcement) are repeated & learned whereas action or behavior which are not followed by reinforcement are dropped.” (Class notes theories of HGD p13).

4. Non-Verbal Communication – A high percentage of our communication is non -verbal and this is why the use of non-verbal communication is of key importance when working with Imelda and her family. “Non – verbal behavior is made up of body language, gestures, facial expressions, posture, body orientation, body distance, eye contact, mirroring & remove barriers.” (O’Brien p237). Its important that Imelda knows that she is being listened to and this can be shown through non- verbal