Strengths-Based Nursing Case Study

This case study examines the application of strengths-based nursing (SBN) principles in the recovery journey of Emma Gee, a young stroke survivor. It analyzes how SBN practices were implemented to address Emma's physical and mental challenges, highlighting the critical transition points in her recovery and the positive impact of SBN on her overall health outcomes.

CASE STUDY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK...............................................................................................................................................1
Case study of Meet Emma Gee...................................................................................................1
Strengths-based nursing (SBN) synthesising principles and values of SBN...............................1
Implementing SBN in case of Emma..........................................................................................2
Critical transition point in Emma’s journey................................................................................3
Nursing care practices and client outcomes.................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Uncertain situation may take place any time in life of human being. Present study is based
on case study of Emma Gee who has been suffered from stroke. The main cause of haemorrhagic
stroke is AVN, this disease has affected physical and mental state of Emma to great extent.
Current assignment will discuss SBN principles and will implement strengths based nursing
practices in case of Emma Gee. Furthermore, it will explain critical transition point in Emma’s
journey. In addition, study will shed-light on positive outcome in wellbeing of patients from
implementing SBN practices.
TASK
Case study of Meet Emma Gee
Emma is the young girl that works as sporty therapist. Initially she was facing weakness
but after going through various tests it is diagnosed that Emma is suffering from malformations
and it might lead to stroke. In the year 2005 she has experienced left side paralysis. During her
treatment she has diagnosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in brain stem. She has
consulted with many neurosurgeons in Sydney and Melbourne and decided to take treatment
AVM removed surgery (Mikkonen, Kyngäs and Kääriäinen, 2015). After first surgery Michael
Morgan has found that her condition is very critical because of excess internal blooding and she
need second surgery.
Due to her weakness and left side paralysis she was facing huge physical difficulties. But
besides this, she also gone through mental constrains. Sometimes approaches taken by nursing
staff were humiliation for Emma Gee. One of the major incidents occurs with Emma in care unit
when she has been called with name “Lamana banana” because her shape looks like banana
when she tried to lay down (Parahoo, 2014).
Strengths-based nursing (SBN) synthesising principles and values of SBN
SBN is the integrated value- driven and philosophical method in health and social care
sector. It is used to find out necessary information for creating effective negotiated plan for
patients that can help in meeting need of sufferer. This practice concentrates on promoting
empowerment and self efficacy (Townsend and Morgan, 2017). Nurses are required to pay
attention on inner and outer strengths of care users and provide them best help so that deficits
can be minimised and they can deal with their problems efficiently. Principles of SBN are
described as below:
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 Person/ family centered care
 Promoting health
 Empowering users
 Collaborative partnership
 Innate capacities for healing and wellbeing
Strengths-based nursing practices always emphasis on maximising level of functioning
and promoting well-being of patients (Warren and et.al., 2016). It is valuable n finding
innovative solution for patient’s problems. That works to uncover facts related to what is best for
care user, potential of the person. Health care professionals have to pay more attention on
patients so that their health condition can be improved soon.
Implementing SBN in case of Emma
As in the case of Emma , she was suffering from physical disabilities that have affected her
mental state as well (Monsen and et.al., 2017). The primary requirement of stroke patients is to
get comfort and family centered support that can motivate person in dealing with such hard
situations. As Emma had to take physiotherapies that were very painful. As due to paralysis she
was unable to stand in correct posture. That was very uncomfortable state for Emma. Nurses
have to make her secure and restful by saying mental motivational words and giving stretches.
Disable person feel humiliated and gone through serious mental distress that many times create
situation of depression for them. Therefore, it is very important for health care professionals that
to adopt SBN approaches and provides care to them in such manner that can help in lighten up
their life and bringing new opportunities of getting recovering soon (Reinventing Emma Gee: the
inspirational story of a young stroke survivor, 2016).
Due to paralysis she was feeling uncomfortable and in such condition Emma was having
need of getting positive support from therapist but she was not empowered. Nurses were pointing
out her flaws in front of all. During session warm water was used which is good for stroke
patients and Emma was craving for the same but nurses have observed that she might face
breathing problems in warm water. Professionals have to empower Emma and allow them to use
such warm water. By this way she would be able to perform these activities in appropriate
manner (Strengths-Based Nursing, 2014). That was core need of Emma and if nurses implement
this thing then it would be better for improving her wellbeing.
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Furthermore, mild motor exercise is good for stroke patients because that can aid in
enhancing motor movements of individual and can support in raising self efficiency of person.
Due to her disabilities Emma was feeling very depressed and she was needed proper
consultation. By implementing this SBN practices, health care professionals would be able to
improve wellbeing of Emma. Health care need of Emma is that she is unable to stand correctly in
her feet due to paralysis (Monsen and et.al., 2017). By performing mild motor exercise her need
can be addressed. But for doing the same, she would require mental support from health care
professionals so that she can perform this exercise well.
She was needed family centred support, thus, if therapist involves family members in
session. By receiving positive feedback from family she might get improve soon and can involve
their participation in such care plan as well. Implementation of SBN practices can support Emma
in her recovery process (Townsend and Morgan, 2017). She must get opportunity to meet with
her mother and sisters. Involvement of family members can raise confidence and hope of the
patient and can support them in dealing with these problems effectively. SBN emphasis on self
empowerment that men, patients need to be left alone in own comfort zone. This would be better
for immediate recovery. In case of Emma this practice can be implemented. Involving parents of
Emma in feedback session would be better because she wanted to share gather feelings and
thoughts with some close one. This practice might give positive outcome to health care
professionals (Strengths-Based Nursing, 2014).
Critical transition point in Emma’s journey
Critical transition which has been seen in Emma's journey includes post surgical care
when the patient was totally unconscious and the care given by nurses after surgical process was
that service user starts gaining consciousness. Nurses was provided with a responsibility to
keenly observe and monitor Emma's condition and situation. She was provided with acute care
that helped patient in gaining consciousness (Zyga, 2015). Also, patients condition was improved
when she was sent to rehabilitation centre by nurse practitioner. The centre provides users with
therapy that supported in enhancing health outcome of patient. This rehabilitation centre has a
goal which targets service users with physical disability and who are chronically ill.
Transitional changes were also seen in patient, when she was getting discharged from
rehabilitation centre. Service user was observed to be more motivated and encouraged. Also,
patient was not feeling depressed or sad after getting appropriate treatment from therapist.
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Strength based nursing care plan was also been provided in order to guide family member,
individual and community about the needs and demands of individual. To establish relationship
with family members nurses can also make use of genogram that allows healthcare professionals
to understand the patients' family history of disease. This plan includes care which is based on
holistic approach and evidence based practice. It means in order to enhance condition of Emma,
nurses would be involved in providing care which is based on principles of ethics. All the
treatment would be given on the elements of honesty, beneficence and autonomy. Nurses would
be engaged in giving fair and just treatment.
No discrimination would be done by them on the basis of disease, age, sex and colour.
Healthcare professionals would make use of holistic approach that means they will be engaged in
traditional nursing practice that involves human body as whole. In this process carers are
involved in giving support to service users that fosters relationship between them. It encourages
nurses to integrate self care, self responsibility, spirituality and reflection the lives of service
users (Ho, Wan and Chan, 2016). This approach will assist nurses in interconnecting with
patients. By these nurses would be able to know about the needs and wants of Emma. The
interconnectivity will create a positive image of nurses in the mind of user which would enhance
their health outcome. This support nurses in knowing the beliefs, values, culture, thoughts and
tradition followed by patient. It enhances the nurses quality of treatment.
Healthcare professionals would engage family member of patient in decision making
process so that they are able to make better and best judgement. Collaboration would be done by
multidisciplinary team that will assist in enhancing health condition of patient. It includes team
of various professionals such as psychiatric, physician, dietician that will improve patients
outcome. Nurses would also provide emotional support to family members and establish and
effective communication with them, so that they can overcome the challenges which is been
faced by them.
Nursing care practices and client outcomes
Strength based nurses will help nurses in improving the motivation and self esteem level
of Emma. It will help healthcare professionals to build a positive relationship with patient as well
as her family member (Kress and et.al., 2015). As nurses involves family member as well patient
in decision making process, it will enhance patients ability to function. Nurses care practice
would make Emma more physical active as healthcare professionals would be engaged in keenly
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monitoring and observing the signs of changes in patient. By making use of SWAT tools such as
genogram and ecomap in strength based nursing therapist are being better able to identify the
risk factors. AS these tools allows healthcare professionals to have a knowledge of patients
family history of disease due to which may have influence service users current state of mind. By
suing eco map nurses were able to counsel family members of Emma that supported them in
knowing how to take care of patient.
This has improved mental stability of patient. She was able to interact more freely with
other individuals. Medical model use by nurses practitioners has supported them in knowing
about the reasons behind Emma's Mental illness. By this they were better able to identify the
needs and demands of patients. They provide emotional support that helps in encouraging
confidence level of service user. Also, acute care was given by healthcare professionals after
surgery that has brought patient in the conscious state of mind.
The model also laid emphasis on that service user should not be held responsible for
condition. This laid a positive impact on mind of patient and helped her to improve her well-
being. Strength based nursing practice has also supported in establishing effective
communication between patient and healthcare professional. They were better able to know
about the views, thought and preferences of Emma that supported them in improving there
service (Zyga, 2015). Also, well-being of patients was improved. Holistic approach has assisted
nurses in developing the feeling of self responsibility and care in the mind patient. Also in this
approach nurses were involved in encouraging patient to engage in physical activities like yoga,
exercise and aerobics that has enhanced self esteem of patient. Collaborating with family
members has also developed relationship of trust with them. Also, effective communication
strategies has helped nurses in analysing the values, beliefs, culture of patient. It has overall
enhance the health outcome of Emma.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been summarised that strength based nursing practice has
improved the condition of Emma. It has encouraged her to develop self confidence and esteem
that assisted her in dissolving the feeling of anxiety, depression, and sadness. Further, transition
in patients health conditions were also been analysed. Nursing practice has supported service
user in bringing back to conscious state of mind. Holistic approach has helped healthcare
professionals in understanding the needs, preferences and wants of service user. This has
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established a friendly relationship between healthcare professionals and service users. IT has
enhanced health outcome of patients suffering from chronic diseases.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Mikkonen, K., Kyngäs, H. and Kääriäinen, M., 2015. Nursing students’ experiences of the
empathy of their teachers: a qualitative study. Advances in Health Sciences Education.
20(3). pp.669-682.
Monsen, K. A. and et.al., 2017. Care coordination from a strengths perspective: a practice-based
evidence evaluation of evidence-based practice. Research and theory for nursing
practice. 31(1). pp.39-55.
Parahoo, K., 2014. Nursing research: principles, process and issues. Macmillan International
Higher Education.
Townsend, M. C. and Morgan, K. I., 2017. Psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care
in evidence-based practice. FA Davis.
Warren, J. I. and et.al., 2016. The strengths and challenges of implementing EBP in healthcare
systems. Worldviews on Evidence
‐Based Nursing. 13(1). pp.15-24.
Zyga, S., 2015. Assessing Patients Spirituality: A New Age Holistic Approach or a Forgotten
Nursing Practice?. Health science journal. 9(3). p.1.
Ho, R.T., Wan, A.H. and Chan, C.K., 2016. Toward a Holistic Approach to Spiritual Health Care
for People With Schizophrenia. Holistic nursing practice.30(5). pp.269-271.
Kress, H.G. and et.al., 2015. A holistic approach to chronic pain management that involves all
stakeholders: change is needed. Current medical research and opinion.31(9).pp.1743-
1754.
Online
Reinventing Emma Gee: the inspirational story of a young stroke survivor. 2016. [Online].
Available through < https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/reinventing-emma-gee-the-
inspirational-story-of-a-young-stroke-survivor-20160225-gn3gtf.html >
Strengths-Based Nursing . 2014. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.nursingcenter.com/cearticle?an=00000446-201408000-
00024&Journal_ID=54030&Issue_ID=2532773 >
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