Question

Which of the following roommates would be best for the client newly admitted with gastric resection? A. A client with Crohn's disease B. A client with pneumonia C. A client with gastritis D. A client with phlebitis

Short answer

Answer: The best choice for a roommate for a client recovering from gastric resection would be the client with gastritis.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding each condition

It's essential to know what each of the medical conditions means before identifying the best roommate for the client with gastric resection. A. Crohn's disease: It's a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. B. Pneumonia: It's a lung infection caused by bacteria, virus, or fungi that causes inflammation and the filling of air sacs with fluid. C. Gastritis: It's an inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining, causing various symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. D. Phlebitis: It's the inflammation of a vein, usually in the leg, which may cause redness, pain, and swelling in the affected area.

Eliminate contagious conditions

Clients with contagious conditions should be eliminated as potential roommates, as they can be harmful to the recovery of the gastric resection client. B. Pneumonia: It is a contagious condition that can spread between people through air droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. Hence, it is not a safe roommate choice for the gastric resection client.

Evaluate the remaining conditions

We have now narrowed our options down to A, C, and D. Let's evaluate the remaining conditions based on the client's needs during recovery from gastric resection. A. Crohn's disease: Although not contagious, a client with Crohn's disease may require specific nutritional adaptations and frequent use of the bathroom, which might be inconvenient for the gastric resection client. C. Gastritis: This condition is also not contagious and shares some similarities with the gastric resection client's condition. Sharing a room with this client may be a better fit, considering that both patients will have similar needs, such as restricted diets and common experiences. D. Phlebitis: Since phlebitis is not contagious and is usually localized to the affected area, it shouldn't pose a threat to the client with gastric resection.

Select the best roommate

Considering the needs and safety of the gastric resection client, the best choice for a roommate would be: C. A client with gastritis: As both patients have similar needs and experiences related to their stomach conditions, they will likely benefit from sharing a room. There won't be any threat of contagious illnesses, and both clients will require similar dietary restrictions and care, making it easier for healthcare providers to accommodate their needs.

Key concepts

Gastric Resection

Gastric resection is a surgical procedure where a part or the entirety of the stomach is removed. It is often necessary for patients suffering from severe stomach ulcers, gastric cancer, or other serious stomach-related conditions. After this surgery, patients need time to recover, and certain specific care must be maintained to facilitate healing. This includes following a modified or special diet, managing pain, and monitoring for any complications such as infections or digestive problems.

During recovery, patients might face difficulties such as:

• Adaptation to a restricted diet
• Risk of malnutrition
• Pain and potential wound complications

Post-operative care is crucial to prevent infections and ensure smooth digestive processes. Patients need a calm and supportive environment, which means the choice of a suitable roommate can influence their recovery journey. Hence, medical staff must consider practical and health aspects when assigning roommates to ensure the best possible care and support for recovery.

Patient Room Assignments

When deciding on patient room assignments, multiple factors come into play, especially for patients recovering from major surgeries like gastric resection. It is important to avoid pairing patients with contagious conditions, which could potentially compromise an individual's healing process. Therefore, understanding each patient’s medical condition is vital in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all.

Here are essential considerations for assigning roommates:

• Contagiousness: Avoid pairing with infectious disease patients.
• Care Needs: Consider similar care needs, such as dietary restrictions, for better coordination and comfort.
• Noise and Activity Levels: Ensure that both patients can coexist without causing stress or disruptions to one another’s recovery.

Choosing the "right" roommate could potentially enhance psychological comfort and emotional support by pairing those experiencing similar challenges. For instance, pairing a gastric resection patient with someone who has gastritis might be beneficial. Both have similar dietary needs and might have empathy towards each other's situations, which enhances mutual support.

Nursing Care Considerations

Nursing care for patients recovering from gastric resection involves attentive management to ensure holistic recovery. Nurses must be aware of the specific challenges and requirements that such patients might have and cater to these needs adequately.

Key nursing care considerations include:

• Monitoring for pain and providing medications as needed to ensure comfort.
• Ensuring dietary needs are met by coordinating with dietitians to prepare suitable meal plans. These meals are often smaller, more frequent, and need to be nutritionally balanced to aid healing and compensate for reduced stomach capacity.
• Observing for signs of complications such as infection or digestive issues and addressing them promptly.
• Providing emotional support and education to the patient and their families about lifestyle changes and the recovery process.

Communication and coordination with other healthcare professionals are key. This ensures that personalized care plans are developed and followed, improving the overall outcome for patients post-surgery. Good nursing care contributes to faster recovery times and can make the transition back to daily life smoother and more manageable for the patient.