Patient Needs example essay topic

# Osteoporosis Osteoporosis affects millions of people in the United States. The most affecting age group are postmenopausal women and the elderly. As many as 32% of women and 17% of men up to the age of 90 will suffer at least one fracture of the hip, spine, wrist, or other susceptible bone attributable to osteoporosis (Pamela W McCoy, Dec 2001). Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bone tissue deteriorates to a point where the bone becomes fragile and may fracture with minimal trauma.

There are many risk factors for osteoporosis, these include; genetic, nutritional and behavioral. For many years there has been research to find treatment for osteoporosis. For postmenopausal women the drug that is preferred is estrogen. Bisphosphonates and calcitonin are useful for those who cannot take estrogen. For men bisphosphonates is the only treatment.

Supplements of calcium and regular exercise help prevent or slow down the rate of bone loss. Osteoporosis progresses for many years without causing symptoms. But some signs are decreased bone strength which result in deformities of the skeleton, lack of bone density which can cause loss of height and bone quality which makes bone more fragile and prone to fractures. Many levels of the hierarchy are unmet with osteoporosis.

There are the physiological needs which are the basic physical needs. A person with osteoporosis can have pain due to deformities and can also fall into the body integrity need. Rest is also a need because the person may not be comfortable in bed or while resting on a chair due to back aches resulting from # kyphosis. Physiological needs are also unmet, because of limitations. Sex, exorcise and activity is limited due to pain or risks of fracturing a bone. Another unmet need would be the safety need.

The need to avoid harm is diminished because they can easily fall or minimal trauma can cause a fracture, so safety, security and protection are unmet. People with osteoporosis can limit their interactions with others or their involvements within groups, because they may not be able to move as freely or perform activities of their daily livings as well. They may not be able to travel long distances to visit their love ones. Because of this their love and belonging needs are unmet. This can also chain up to esteem and recognition needs which are also unmet.

The perception of the individual may not be adequate, he or she may feel worthless. All these unmet needs of course result in the need to meet the last level of the human need hierarchy which is self-actualization because they are unable to achieve potential and grow and improve. There are many NANDA's that would apply to this health problem. An example of three would be: Pain, because the deformities osteoporosis causes are painful. Risk for injury, because people with osteoporosis are at higher risk for fractures. Osteoporosis results in more then 1.3 million fractures in the United States (Jeannette E South-Paul, Mar 1, 2001).

Bathing / hygiene self-care deficit because due to deformities people are not able to move freely or are as flexible to do simple activities such as bathing or personal hygiene. Some goals or patient outcomes would be that the patients strength and function would increase to reduce some bone # fragility. We as nurses want the patient to verbalize and communicate the need for assistance when the individuals needs help. And of course we need the patient to feel independent, too. So we need the patient to utilize modified techniques, or special equipment to perform self-care needs. As a nurse it is very important to educate patient about the disease and how it progresses.

With good education the patient is aware about the disease and can easily understand how to prevent complications. According to Hellekson, Karen L. PH. D (7/1/2002) Fracture prevention is the primary goal in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis. We as nurses should encourage exercise such as weight-bearing exorcise. We need to reduce the risk of falls or consequences. This includes opening pathways and removing objects that can obstruct the pathways.

This also include good lighting in the room especially at night time, so the patient won't trip or bump into a furniture or wall. Another nursing intervention is educating the patient how to follow prescribed drug regimen to decrease pain and help with techniques to relieve discomfort. The patient needs to also take prescribed drugs for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis like hormone replacement therapy, calcium daily intake etc. Nurses need to encourage agent administration and compliance, and establish walking or exorcise programs. A patient would reflect progress if he or she improves muscle strength and balance and understand that this can reduce the risk of fractures.

Also if the patient understands the importance of taking the medications as prescribed and he or she feels less pain or discomfort. Patient understand that smoking # cessation, adequate physical activity, and attention to diet in addition to pharmacological intervention is optimal for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis (Prestwood KM; Raise LG, 2002) Osteoporosis affects millions of people in the United States, but with proper education we can prevent osteoporosis. Knowing that women are more at risk then men can decrease osteoporosis, we need to educate young girls to start taking calcium at early ages. Many levels of the hierarchy are unmet with osteoporosis and nurses can help these people meet their needs. All sources mentioned here were all consistent and seemed current and valid. They all seem to focus on helping educate the patient and also help us as nurses to understand these peoples needs.

The most important is how to prevent and treat osteoporosis..