Discussion #2: Musculoskeletal System

You are a nursing student who is assigned to a busy medical-surgical unit that specializes in the care of patients with diabetes related conditions. One of your patients for the day is Ms. Ncube, a 63 year old woman who is post-operative for an amputation of the right foot. You enter the room to conduct your morning assessment and you find that Ms. Ncube is crying uncontrollably. She confides to you that she feels helpless and that she does not know how she will continue to live her life autonomously without her foot. She states that she cannot bare for herself or anyone else to see her wound. Although you empathize with Ms. Ncube, you are very busy today and have a limited amount of time to conduct your assessment.

1.) How do you think you may navigate this situation given Ms. Ncube’s emotional status and also your time limitation to complete your needed tasks?

2.) Part of your assessment includes observing Ms. Ncube’s amputation site. How may you assess the site while still being therapeutic and respecting your patient?

3.) How may Ms. Ncube’s emotional status affect your overall assessment? Could her emotional status alter any of your assessments?