Nursing care is more than giving medications.
for end-of-life patients can be difficult. Each patient has different needs, and Ida Jean Orlando's nursing theory can help the nurse to determine those needs.
Orlando
Orlando has worked in nursing, research and teaching. She has a bachelor's degree in public health nursing and a master's degree in mental health nursing.
Theory
Orlando's theory is that the role of a nurse is to use her own perceptions, not just outward appearances or the patient's words or actions, to find out what the needs of the patient really are.
Issues
Making burial decisions may be one of the patient's needs.
End-of-life issues are more than medical. Beyond pain management and medications, a dying patient's needs include finding closure, dealing with family, deciding about a living will, expressing burial wishes and facing fears about dying.
Use
A nurse using Orlando's theory talks to the end-of-life patient about what will bring him comfort both physically and emotionally, but also looks beyond what he says. The not necessarily meet the needs but may help find resources and help the patient deal with unresolved issues.
Considerations
Orlando's theory expands the basic medical care by the nurse to a multidimensional role that helps the whole patient. If a nurse does not do this, the patient has the right to request a new nurse.
Tags: Orlando theory, health nursing, more than, nurse does, Nursing care,