psychosocial paper Essay

Chronic Illness Psychosocial Implications
    Using the Behavioral Nursing Assessment Tool as a guide, this paper begins with a personal interview with a patient who had a right Below the Knee Amputation (BKA) related to Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). Mr. Gerke is a 72-year-old retired investment banker who was admitted at Manor Care Hospital on October 4, 2008 for post-op BKA rehabilitation. This assessment tool assists in developing psychosocial assessment criteria for individuals and families adapting to physical illness.
Assessment
Health Perception-Health Management
      Mr. Gerke has a history of hypertension, Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). He previously had undergone a right 5th toe amputation at Hemet Valley Hospital. This was complicated by gangrene at the margin of the resection so Mr. Gerke was transferred to UC Hospital for further evaluation of PVD. Mr. Gerke reports pain in feet and inability to walk secondary to calf and foot pain. He is in constant pain with decrease sensation to his bilateral feet. He also notes numbness and tingling in bilateral upper extremities. Because of the development of secondary wound infection and unbearable pain, Mr. Gerke now then requests BKA for final closure of the right leg.
      Mr. Gerke states that it was hard for him being in the hospital. He verbalized anxiety and depression caused by uncertain future and physical discomfort. Besides all these emotions, he is thankful because his doctor and nurses are knowledgeable and treated him well. Fortunately, he was able to get a private, comfortable room and he was glad of that. The patient states the food was pretty decent and the selections were adequate.   Mr. Gerke’s main concern when he’ll out of the hospital is that he will need a   lot of help in performing his   activities of daily living such as: bathing; eating; dressing; using the bathroom; and getting in and out of bed. He lives with his wife for 35 years. Mrs. Gerke is very...