Problem
Critically think about how you would educate the family on the importance of emptying the BSC (bedside commode) and helping to eliminate the odor in the patient's bedroom. Keep in mind that you should use therapeutic communications, respect the patient, cultural/religious beliefs. Remember as the nurse, you can empty the BSC while you are present, but help the family understand what will need to take place in your absence. Your reply should be a minimum of 75-100 word.
A 68-year-old woman is being cared for at home after a stroke. She is able to get out of bed and use the bedside commode unaided, but she cannot do much more than that. Her husband and adult children care for her on a daily basis. In general, they do a satisfactory job, except for the fact that they will not empty the bucket on the commode. When the home health aid comes for a visit, the bucket is always full and the room has the strong smell of feces and urine. The home health nurse has been to the home and discussed this with the family on several occasions. The patient does not seem to object to the smell. The family is adamant that this is the job of the nurses.
You are the new home health nurse assigned to the patient. You've decided that this is a problem with a solution. Approach the family with a new and fresh attitude toward the problem. Keep in mind your legal, ethical, and personal responsibilities and limitations.