Therapeutic Communication Discussion Postings

Here are three discussion post from three different individuals about Therapuetic Communication and you are to state whether you agree or disagree with what they believe and state why you agree or disagree. Please number answers to each response and don't duplicate answers. 1)This family is in disbelief/shock from the news of their 3Yrs old child being newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer. Fortunately, for the child who is too young to understand the graveness of this disease, makes it a little less stressful for the patient. However, it's the parents/cargivers who has to take on the full responsibility for every decision regarding care/treatment for their child, even while going through a series of emotions. As their nurse I would say to them, "you may find it helpful to talk with others who have had similiar experience as you. I have contact information for a support group. Would you like me to call them for you"? When paired up with people who can actually sympathize, because they have been through similiar circumstances, it can certainly help that family who is actually going through their crisis. Sometimes one of the best sources of support for the parents are other parents who have gone through the experience of having their child having cancer ( Ward & Hisley 2009). Support can come from a survivor, a newly diagnosed patient or someone going thrrough treatment, but they can also recieve spiritual support from meditation/religion/hospital Chaplain. The child can benefit from the continued love and support of the family, as well as continuing normal schedule of daily activities. Therapeutic communication would be most effective at this time, with use of compassion, open-ended questions, and encourgement to express their feelings. 2)I would use Statement #3– “I know that this is a difficult time for you. Let's take this day by day and make your child's routine as normal as possible.” It is very devastating when someone is diagnosed with cancer, especially a child. Keeping that child on a routine will help both the child and the parents. It also gives the parents some control. What is the childs schedule like? What is his bed time? Who bathes him? What are his favorite toys? Bring them in. Does he like certain music or tv shows? Recordings of these can keep the child entertained. As a nurse I would consider the childs age when explaining treatments that will need to be done. The child is 3 so I would use dolls or stuffed animals to explain what is going to happen. Letting the childs favorite stuffed animal get the same treatment (i.e a bandaid at the site where the child is going to get treated) may help the child cope. The child can show family his stuffed animal and by doing so talk about what is going on. With the parents I would slowly give them information. Giving to much at a time the parents may not understand or comprehend it. They did just learn that their child has cancer. They have a lot of things going through their minds. I would take it slow, one day at a time. I will explain all the treatments. Always reexplaining when the procedure is due. Reassuring the parents that one of them can be with the child will also help for them and the child. It is important for the nurse as the primary to go and spend time with this family. It will help get the child to trust the nurse and will give the parents a change to ask any additional questions and voice concerns. 3) I chose statement #2 - “You may find it helpful to talk with others who have had a similar experience as you. I have contact information for a support group. Would you like me to call them for you?” I would use this statement when working with this family because it would allow them to speak to other families and caregivers who have received the same shocking news. It would give them a chance to ask questions and hear how other families are coping with this type of cancer and how it is affecting their child. In this instance if I can intervene and contact experienced families who have been through this and I can provide as much information and education as possible regarding this type of cancer it may reduce some of the distress and disbelief that the family is experiencing. In most instances when a diagnosis of cancer is made, there are many transitions that take place rapidly. The parents must quickly learn about medical providers, tests, equipment, invasive procedures and devices, surgeries and medical care which could be a source of anxiety and fear for them (Jones, B. 2012). If the parents could have the support, guidance and assistance from the RN and other people who have been through this or are going through this, they may find comfort in knowing they are not alone and it may help to decrease their fears and feeling of uncertainty. In a study done by Paula Fletcher, PhD published in Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, she examined the experiences of care providers of children diagnosed with cancer during the diagnosis phase, treatment phase and after care. The care providers were asked to speak about their positive experiences that they incurred. The study showed that the most positive experiences came from the support of family, friends, neighbors, strangers, community and employers. They also said that it offered them the opportunity to participate in fundraisers, celebrations and the ability to meet different people who were also looking for support. The caregivers reported that because they had these people to rely on and count on, it made them feel like the battle in front of them could be fought together (Fletcher, P. 2011).