Basic Nursing 1st Edition by Judith Wilkinson, Leslie Treas

Exercise 5

Patient Situation.
Alvin Bell, 82 years old, was just discharged from the hospital following a myocardial infarction (heart attack). On your first home visit to supervise his medication regimen, you notice that the house looks as though it has not been cleaned in weeks. He has what appears to be months' accumulation of newspapers, magazines, and other clutter piled on every flat surface, including the floor. There are dishes piled in the sink, apparently left there before his hospitalization. There is hardly any food in the cupboard; when you weigh Mr. Bell, you see that he has lost 3 pounds in the 3 days he has been home. He admits he has not been eating: "I'm not hungry, and it's too much trouble." As you talk with him, you learn that his wife died of cancer 7 months ago. He says, "I don't know what to do without her. I hate living alone. There doesn't seem to be much reason for going on." Mr. Bell is alert and oriented, but talks and moves very slowly.
Critical
Thinking (Considering Alternatives):
a. As you survey Mr. Bell's overall situation, what is your first impulse for how to improve his situation? What questions come to you?
b. What community services might be helpful for Mr. Bell?
c. How would you handle referrals? Would you leave a list of telephone numbers? Would you call the agencies yourself? Explain your thinking.