Description
In your readings this week, you learned that palliative care provides physical, psychosocial, and spiritual care through assessment and the development of a comprehensive treatment plan. “Palliative” is defined as relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition. This definition echoes the World Health Organization (WHO)’s definition of palliative care as a patient-centered approach that improves the quality of life of patients and families when they are experiencing life-threatening illnesses (WHO, 2015).
This week we also learned about the importance of self-care and that it cannot be overstated for the clinician. Work and professional responsibilities, family and home life, coursework, and clinical practicums all demand attention. Self-care and health promotion are major components of caring for patients; it is imperative that as NPs we care for ourselves as well (Dunphy, 2019).
Select one of the following prompts and the corresponding Differentials Table to complete. In the subject line of your post, please identify which prompt you are responding to.
Instructions:
Select one of the following prompts.
Complete the corresponding “Differentials Table” (this week focuses on chronic conditions commonly referred to as palliative care) – include 5 differentials (excluding the example provided).
Upload your Differentials Table and answers to your chosen prompt to the Discussion Board.
Week 8 Prompt
Self-care is important to personal health, professional growth, and the ability to care for others. Discuss the importance of self-care for the APRN. Provide examples with your rationale.
Differentials Table
Common Diagnoses Necessitating Palliative Care Referral by Nurse Practitioner Signs/Symptoms Gold Standard Diagnostics Gold Standard Treatment
Ex: COPD Chronic cough, chronic sputum production, shortness of breath worse with physical exertion, progressive symptoms, barrel chest, weight loss; hyperresonance upon percussion, tactile fremitus and egophony is decreased; CXR may show hyperinflation; bullae sometimes present; coarse crackles. Refer to GOLD Report – Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.
A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient who has dyspnea, chronic cough or sputum production, a history of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections and/or a history of exposure to risk factors for the disease, but forced spirometry showing the presence of a postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7 is mandatory to establish the diagnosis of COPD. Prevention and Maintenance Therapy: Smoking cessation, Vaccination (pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, Tdap).
Acute exacerbation: SABA (albuterol, levalbuterol). SAMA (Ipratropium bromide) often used in combination with SABA. While continuation of ongoing therapy with long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) or LAMAs has not been specifically studied, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy advises their continuation. Oral Glucocorticoid therapy: 40mg per day for 5-14 days
Antibiotic Therapy: the GOLD strategy recommends empiric antibiotics for patients with COPD exacerbations who have increased sputum purulence and either increased sputum volume or increased dyspnea, or for patients who require ventilatory assistance.
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