Patient Education Plan: Teaching the Patient with Hepatitis C
Health Education Plan: Teaching the Patient with Hepatitic C
For years, nursing was a task-oriented career. A nurse’s primary responsibility was to provide for the physical needs of patients experiencing illness. Nursing has evolved into a profession, which holistically treats and educates patients in a variety of health situations including acute illness, chronic disease, and preventative care. The competent practice of patient education has become a critical element in nursing. This paper will show the process of formulating a detailed patient specific teaching plan for a patient newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis means liver inflammation and refers to a group of viral infections, most commonly Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2009, ¶1) states, “Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States; approximately 3.2 million persons are chronically infected.” Neighbors and Tannehill-Jones (2006, p. 210) reports, “Over 12,000 individuals die each year from hepatitis C.” HCV is transmitted by exposure to infected blood; either by blood transfusions of unscreened blood or injecting drugs, although, other less common exposures to blood may result in HCV. “The majority of infected persons might not be aware of their infection because they are not clinically ill. However, infected persons serve as a source of transmission to others and are at risk for chronic liver disease or other HCV-related chronic diseases decades after infection” (CDCP, 2009, ¶2). Early symptoms of HCV are usually mild but may include fever, fatigue, dark urine, clay-colored stool, abdominal pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain (CDCP, 2009). Many times HCV infection is not detected until a physician orders routine liver enzyme tests or when a patient donates blood and the screen reveals HCV-positive result. Treatment for HCV depends on the stage.
For years, nursing was a task-oriented career. A nurse’s primary responsibility was to provide for the physical needs of patients experiencing illness. Nursing has evolved into a profession, which holistically treats and educates patients in a variety of health situations including acute illness, chronic disease, and preventative care. The competent practice of patient education has become a critical element in nursing. This paper will show the process of formulating a detailed patient specific teaching plan for a patient newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis means liver inflammation and refers to a group of viral infections, most commonly Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2009, ¶1) states, “Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States; approximately 3.2 million persons are chronically infected.” Neighbors and Tannehill-Jones (2006, p. 210) reports, “Over 12,000 individuals die each year from hepatitis C.” HCV is transmitted by exposure to infected blood; either by blood transfusions of unscreened blood or injecting drugs, although, other less common exposures to blood may result in HCV. “The majority of infected persons might not be aware of their infection because they are not clinically ill. However, infected persons serve as a source of transmission to others and are at risk for chronic liver disease or other HCV-related chronic diseases decades after infection” (CDCP, 2009, ¶2). Early symptoms of HCV are usually mild but may include fever, fatigue, dark urine, clay-colored stool, abdominal pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain (CDCP, 2009). Many times HCV infection is not detected until a physician orders routine liver enzyme tests or when a patient donates blood and the screen reveals HCV-positive result. Treatment for HCV depends on the stage.
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . (2009). Hepatitis C Information for Health Professionals. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/index.htm National Digestive Disease Clearinghouse. (2009). What I need to know about Hepatitis C. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/index.htm Neighbors, M., & Tannehill-Jones, R. (2006). Human Diseases (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning. Redman, B. (2007). The Practice of Patient Education: A Case Study Approach (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Swearingen, P. (2008). All-in-One Care Planning Resource (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.