Palliative Care
The purpose of this assignment is to explore and apply the palliative care approach to the following case study. You will analyse different care contexts to deepen your understanding of palliative care nursing as part of person-centred, interprofessional care.
Case Study Description:
You are working with a palliative care team in the community. You have a referral from the Renal team to meet with Rose for the first time. Rose is a 78 year old Aboriginal woman, who was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Stage 3, 2 years ago. After consultation with the renal health care team, Rose has decided not to proceed with dialysis as a treatment option because she also has Hypertension
and Type 2 Diabetes. Therefore, Rose has chosen a conservative management pathway that involves shared care between the nephrology team and the palliative care team. “Renal supportive care (RSC) is an interdisciplinary approach integrating renal medicine and palliative care. It supports patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and their carers/families to live as
well as possible by better managing their symptoms. It also encompasses advanced care planning and end of life care”. https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/443072/Renal-
Supportive-Care-Service-Model.pdf
(https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/443072/Renal-Supportive-Care-Service-
Model.pdf)
Rose lives with her husband Tom, 76 years old non-Indigenous man, in their own home. Their daughter Penny, 40 years and son Jon, 45 years live with their own families. Penny has two sons, 5 and 8 years old and Jon has a daughter 20 years old and son 15 years old. Rose is the eldest in her family having 3 brothers and 4 sisters. Tom is the youngest in his family, having one brother. Rose and Tom have a very
supportive family. Rose is passionate about being an active Aboriginal community member.
Assignment Instructions:
Answer the following questions related to the case study. Draw on your online learning, tutorials and simulations to structure your answers. Provide an introduction and conclusion.
Section 1: 1400 words
1. In consideration of the key principles of palliative care, explain why Rose, having CKD may opt for conservative care rather than dialysis.
2. Outline how you will establish and promote culturally safe practice?
3. Explain why a team approach, inclusive of the renal and palliative care teams, but not limited to, is an important approach to address the care needs of Rose, with consideration of her life-limiting illness.
Consider the benefits and challenges in relation to Rose’s continuity of care.
Section 2: 400 words
Rose has now progressed to End Stage Kidney Disease. Rose has emphasised that she wants to die at home with support from her family.
1. Explain the palliative care focus specific to Rose for her end of life care.
Identify the resources required, who will be involved and how the care team will coordinate care.
