A Client/Family Centered Nursing Care Study on Severe Malaria

Abstract

The nursing profession has developed throughout history seeing a lot of transformation inpractice, type of caregivers, role and policy. Nursing has become a profession of caring and service to those in need, promoting the health of individuals, their families and the entire community. The patient/family care study is a detailed account of nursing care rendered to the patient and family to meet their needs. The study is designed to give a comprehensive nursing care to both patient and family from the time of admission till when patient is finally discharged, as well as follow-ups/home visits for continuity of care. The study provides a systematic way of collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting the results of nursing care. This patient/family care study is based on holistic care, taking into account all factors impacting the health of the patient. The patient/family care study forms an integral part of the curriculum for educating nursing students hence a necessity for completing the nursing course and also a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of professional license by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana. Using the nursing process in caring for a patient, emphasis is placed on health promotion and maintenance, restoration of health and enhancing a peaceful death depending on the patient’s condition. The nursing process is a series of organized steps designed for nurses to provide excellent care. This involves five phases, including assessing patient/family, making a diagnosis for patient/family, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care. The nursing process offers a framework for thinking. The nursing process usually uses the NANDA taxonomy. The study is carried out to enable the student nurse put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired from the training period in school to ascertain how best the theoretical knowledge would be used to nurse patients who will come under his or her care in the near future. Initials were used instead of full name to maintain confidentiality and anonymity. The study serves as a reference paper for other student nurses and qualified health personnel who may be interested in its content