What Is The Nursing Diagnosis Of The Elephant Man

Movie Character
Presentation
The Elephant Man
Krsytal Wilson
GCU
NRS-434V

The Elephant Man presentation overview
 Present the plot and characters of the

movie.
 Functional Assessment of “The Elephant

Man”
 Nursing diagnosis
 Interventions
 Resources

Background of Movie and
Character
Main Characters
•

John Merrick “Elephant Man”

•

Dr. Frederick Treves

The movie plot
•

Dr. Frederick Treves saves a young disfigured John Merrick from the enslavement and abuse from owner Bytes.

Functional
Assessments
Health Perception/Health
Management

No health management

Begins to improve on hygiene and health in the hospital.
Nutrition/Metabolic

Poor diet

Missing dentition

Appears underweight

Pattern of
Elimination
Elimination
pattern
not addressed in the movie Assessment Continued
Pattern of Activity/Exercise
 Movement is limited due to disfigurement Conceptual/Perceptual
Pattern
 Unable to communicate clearly  Well educated
Pattern of Sleep and Rest
 Sleep pattern regular
Unable to sleep restfully

Assessment Continued
Pattern of Self Perception and Self
Concept
 Large tumors all over his body
 Perceives himself as ugly and scary  John asks Dr. Treves “Can you kill me?” (The Elephant Man,1980)
Role/Relationship Patterns
 Fearful and scared
 Gains confidence
Sexuality/Reproductive Patterns
Genitals are intact without signs of deformity. Assessment Complete
Pattern of Coping and Stress Tolerance
 Hides in corner of the room
 Shuts down and stops all communication .
 Covers his deformities

Pattern of Values and Beliefs
 Tries to please others.
 Religious beliefs

Analysis of Health Assessment
Normal assessment findings
Intimacy vs. Isolation

Abnormal or risk-based findings
Skeletal/Muscular system disfigurement
Chronic bronchitis
Ineffective coping skills

Additional
Observations
John is a religious man that enjoys art, reading and theater.

Nursing
Considerations
Nursing Diagnosis
 Disturbed Body Image

as evidenced by pt reaction to Physical Deformities
 Interventions
 Help client describe ideal self, identify self-

criticisms, and suggestions to support acceptance of self.
 Encourage the clients to write a narrative description of their changes.
 Encourage the client to purchase clothes that are attractive and that deemphasize their disability.
(Gulanick, 2014)

Resources
Resources
Proteus Syndrome Foundation
 http://www.proteus-syndrome.org/proteus-syn

drome/faqs/

Genetics Home Reference
 http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/proteus-

syndrome

Conclusion
 The Elephant Man was viewed by society as

a freak show due to his extensive body deformities from a chronic progressive disease because of this he was taken advantage of.
 To close friends John was a kind, educated

man, that was able to overcome a abusive and degrading past to live a fulfilled life of quality regardless of his outward appearance.  Proteus Syndrome is a rare disease with

References
 Legendre, C., Charpentier-Cote, C., Drouin, R.,

& Bouffard, C. (2011). Neurofibromatosis Type
1: Persisting
Misidentification of the
"Elephant Man" Disease. The
Journal of the
American Board of Family Medicine, 112-114.
 Gulanick, M. (2014). Nursing Care Plans 8th

Edition.

Mosby.

 Proteus Syndrome Foundation. (2015.).

Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.proteus-syndrome.org/proteussyndrome/  The elephant man [Motion picture on DVD].

(1980). WGBH Boston Video.