Elec. 2 - Chronic Illness

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & WilkinsCopyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

CARE OF THE CHRONICALLY ILL

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & WilkinsCopyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chronic Illness

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chronic Conditions • Occur in people of every age,

socioeconomic level, culture• Medical conditions or health problems with

associated symptoms that require long-term (3 months or longer) management

• Conditions that do not resolve or for which complete cures are rare

• Management: people must learn to live with symptoms or disabilities, carry out lifestyle changes or treatment regimens



MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT CHRONIC DISEASE




















Causes of the Increase in Chronic Conditions

• Decrease in mortality from infectious diseases

• Lifestyle factors• Longer lifespans• Improved screening, diagnostic

procedures


Characteristics of Chronic Conditions

• Managing chronic illness involves more than treating medical problems

• Usually involve different phases over person's lifetime to which person must adapt

• Persistent adherence to therapeutic regimens

• One chronic disease can lead to development of other chronic conditions

• Chronic illness affects entire family


Characteristics of Chronic Conditions (cont’d)

• Day-to-day management of illness largely responsibility of people with chronic disorders, their families

• Management of chronic conditions: process of discovery

• Management– Collaborative– Expensive

• Ethical issues may be raised• Living with chronic illness means living with

uncertainty


Implications for Managing Chronic Conditions

• Importance of prevention• Lifestyle changes/interventions to prevent

chronic disease• Once disease occurs, focus shifts to:

– Managing symptoms– Avoiding complications – Avoiding acute illness– Promoting health– Maintaining functional status


Question• When is a medical condition

considered chronic?A.1 monthB.3 monthsC.1 dayD.3 days


Answer• B. 3 months• Rationale: Medical or health

problems with associated symptoms or disabilities that require long-term management 3 months or longer are considered chronic.


Phases of Chronic Conditions








Challenges of Living with Chronic Illness

• Alleviate, manage symptoms• Psychologically adjust to, physically

accommodate disabilities• Prevent, manage crises,

complications• Carry out regimens as prescribed• Validate individual self-worth, family

functioning• Manage threats to identity


Challenges of Living with Chronic Illness (cont’d)

• Normalize personal, family life as much as possible

• Live with altered time, social isolation, loneliness

• Establish networks of support, resources that can enhance quality of life

• Return to satisfactory way of life after acute debilitating episode or reactivation of chronic condition

• Die with dignity, comfort


Use of Nursing Process

• Identify specific problems, trajectory phase• Establish, prioritize goals• Define plan of action to achieve desired

outcomes• Implement plan, interventions

– Adhering to regimens to control symptoms, keep illness stable

– Dealing with psychosocial issues that can hinder illness management, affect quality of life

• Follow-up, evaluate outcomes


Review of SelectedCHRONIC ILLNESSES

• Heart Disease – (Angina Pectoris VS Myocardial

Infarction)• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary

Disease– (Emphysema & Chronic Bronchitis)

• Diabetes– (Diabetic Ketoacidosis VS Hyperglycemic

Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome)


Documents

Elec. 2 - Chronic Illness