Interprofessional Collaboration in Addressing Mr. Beardley’s Pressure Ulcer and Resistive Behavior

QUESTION

Progressing from last week’s information: During morning care you notice that Mr. Beardley has a pressure ulcer on his left hip from lying in bed all day and not eating well. The nursing staff is finding he is resistive when they try to turn him in bed and want to get him up more for programs on the unit.

1. Looking from the different aspects of each interprofessional team member, discuss the unique and overlapping roles of the professions as they relate to this case.

Consider the information you have learned in the modules so far and incorporate all the data for this patient when you answer the following:

2. Why might Mr. Beardley be resistive?

3. What recommendations could each discipline (in this unfolding case) give to the nurse to treat Mr Beardley’s new pressure ulcer and his resistive behaviour?

ANSWER

Interprofessional Collaboration in Addressing Mr. Beardley’s Pressure Ulcer and Resistive Behavior

Introduction

In the case of Mr. Beardley, a patient with a newly developed pressure ulcer on his left hip and resistive behavior during turning, effective interprofessional collaboration is essential to ensure comprehensive care. This essay will discuss the unique and overlapping roles of various healthcare professions involved in Mr. Beardley’s care. Additionally, it will address the potential reasons behind his resistive behavior and provide recommendations from each discipline to treat his pressure ulcer and manage his behavior.

Unique and Overlapping Roles of Interprofessional Team Members

Nursing: Nurses play a central role in coordinating care, assessing and monitoring the patient’s condition, and implementing nursing interventions. They are responsible for turning Mr. Beardley to prevent pressure ulcers, providing wound care, and managing his behavior during activities.
Physician: Physicians provide medical expertise, diagnose underlying conditions, and prescribe appropriate interventions. They can assess the pressure ulcer, identify contributing factors, and recommend medical treatments or consultations, if necessary.
Physical Therapist: Physical therapists evaluate Mr. Beardley’s mobility, develop exercise programs, and educate him on safe movements to prevent further deterioration of his condition. They can provide guidance on positioning techniques and assistive devices.
Nutritionist/Dietitian: Nutritionists assess Mr. Beardley’s dietary needs and develop an individualized plan to address his poor nutritional intake. They can recommend nutritional supplements or modifications to support wound healing and overall well-being.
Occupational Therapist: Occupational therapists focus on enhancing Mr. Beardley’s functional independence and engagement in daily activities. They can assess his abilities, recommend adaptive equipment, and provide strategies to manage resistive behavior during activities.
Social Worker: Social workers assess Mr. Beardley’s psychosocial needs, provide emotional support, and facilitate communication between the patient, family, and healthcare team. They can explore factors contributing to his resistive behavior and offer counseling or referral to appropriate support services.

Reasons for Resistive Behavior

Mr. Beardley’s resistive behavior during turning may stem from various factors, such as pain or discomfort, fear or anxiety, loss of independence, cognitive impairments, or unmet psychosocial needs. It is crucial to conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the underlying cause of his resistance.

Recommendations from Each Discipline

Nursing: Provide wound care and maintain a clean and moist wound environment. Implement a regular turning schedule with proper positioning techniques. Assess and manage pain effectively to alleviate Mr. Beardley’s discomfort during movement.
Physician: Evaluate the pressure ulcer’s severity and etiology. Prescribe appropriate medications, such as analgesics or topical wound treatments. Consider consults with wound care specialists or plastic surgeons for complex cases.
Physical Therapist: Collaborate with the nursing team to develop an individualized mobility program that gradually increases activity levels. Educate Mr. Beardley on the importance of movement and provide strategies to manage resistive behavior during exercises.
Nutritionist/Dietitian: Assess Mr. Beardley’s nutritional status and develop a tailored dietary plan to support wound healing. Recommend supplements, if needed. Collaborate with nursing to ensure proper feeding assistance during meals.
Occupational Therapist: Conduct an assessment of Mr. Beardley’s functional abilities and recommend appropriate assistive devices to enhance his independence. Provide strategies to manage resistive behavior during activities and promote engagement in meaningful occupations.
Social Worker: Conduct a psychosocial assessment to identify any underlying emotional or social factors contributing to resistive behavior. Provide counseling, emotional support, or referrals to support services as needed.

Conclusion

Effective interprofessional collaboration is crucial in addressing Mr. Beardley’s pressure ulcer and resistive behavior. Each healthcare discipline brings unique expertise and perspectives to the table, allowing for a comprehensive approach to his care. By working together, the interprofessional team can ensure proper wound management, address contributing factors to resistive behavior, and promote Mr. Beardley’s overall well-being and functional independence.