Assignment task:
Greta, a 32-year-old woman, is admitted to a medical unit with a questionable diagnosis of influenza. Her weight has dropped to 82 pounds, a loss of 20 pounds in the week before admission. Greta also has a genetic disease involving weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles. She lives with her two younger brothers and their mother, who have what Greta calls "the disease" (wasting of the muscles). She is the only family member who can drive. The nursing staff perceives her as angry and abrupt; they also wonder about the medical problem. They feel sorry for Greta and think of her as "very independent". The charge nurse suggests that a brief family interview would be helpful to explore Greta's expectations, beliefs, and resources. Her family is invited to the meeting, which is held on the medical unit, but they do not attend. During the brief interview, the primary nurse working with Greta asks her about expectations for the hospitalization and how the nurses could be more helpful. Greta responds by saying that she would know how the staff would care for her "by how they talk with me and other patients, show me respect and trust, and treat me independently." She states that she needs to be strong to care for her brothers and mothers, "who depend on me.
Q1. What clinical skills can the nurse use to move beyond basic family nursing skills and demonstrate advanced family nursing skills?
Q2. How can the nurse use relative influence questioning as an intervention with Greta?
Q3. How can the nurse collaborate with Greta to develop a plan of care for her during her hospitalization?