Case Study
Mrs. I. is an 82-year-old Navajo who lives with her daughter and son-in-law. In accordance with Navajo traditions, Mrs. I. believes that health is closely linked with being in harmony with the environment, family members, and supernatural forces. She regularly attends native healing ceremonies and protects her family and herself from sickness through songs, stories, rituals, prayers, and sand paintings. Mrs. L's mother kept a medicine bundle, called a jish containing stones, feathers, arrowheads, and corn pollen and used this for healing and blessings. Mrs. L's elder sister now uses the fish that was passed on from their mother. Mrs. I. has had diabetes and hypertension for several years, and is about 30 pounds over her ideal weight. She receives medical care at the Indian Health Service, where you are the nurse. During a recent visit, you found Mrs. I. 's blood pressure was 164/98 mm Hg; her random blood sugar level as measured on the glucometer was 196 mg/dL. You know from previous visits that Mrs. I. does not want to take any prescription medications because she thinks they are not in harmony with spiritual forces. When you explain that both her blood sugar and blood pressure are high, she promises you that she will ask her older sister to use thefishfor healing. You know from your experience with the Indian Health Service that nurses have been successful in persuading Navajos to perform physical exercise if it is viewed in a larger cultural context. For example, when the nurse consulted a tribal leader in developing an exercise program, the American Indians at a community health center were receptive to incorporating mild aerobic exercise into their daily routines in the form of traditional dance movements.
Think Like A Nurse
Questions:
a) What cultural factors need to be considered for elderly persons. Are these cultural factors more influential when young or older?
b) How would metaphors and cultural knowledge to help Mrs. I understand her diabetes and hypertension?
c) What steps would you take to implement dietary and lifestyle interventions for Mrs. I ?
d) What types of interventions could you imagine for her hypertension, taking into account their cultural differences?
Your paper should be:
- One (1) page or more or 300 words or more
- Use factual information from the textbook and/or appropriate articles and websites.
- Cite your sources - type references according to the APA Style Guide