Describe the client’s background information, including age range, cultural or social contexts, medical and psychiatric diagnoses, other health care problems, or reason for admission to the facility

Client health education plan for patients with limited range of motion due to osteoathritis

Client education can be described as the process of influencing behaviour and producing the changes in knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to maintain or improve their overall health status. Clients and their families have a right to health education so that they can make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle. Furthermore, clients in the clinical setting are exposed to new procedures, medications and treatments. Providing education will allow clients to understand their illness experience and the activities that will restore health.

Select a client or resident from your clinical setting with a limited range of motion due to osteoarthritis and develop a health education plan for a learning need that was identified by the client, or a learning need that you had identified during your physical assessment. Please use a different or made-up name (pseudonym) for your client. If you include the client’s family members, use pseudonyms. Do not include the name of the clinical setting in your paper. You can simply say “clinical setting”, “continuing care facility”, “nursing home”, or “long-term care home”.

The following points must be included in your paper:

1. Describe the client’s background information, including age range, cultural or social contexts, medical and psychiatric diagnoses, other health care problems, or reason for admission to the facility.

2. Identify the focused assessment and/or checklist that you used. Provide some normal and/or abnormal findings from your physical assessment. You do not have to submit the completed assessment checklist(s) for this assignment.

3. Describe the identified learning need. Explain the importance of this need to the client’s physical and/or mental health (make sure to use 2 to 3 research articles to support your explanation).

4. Describe one (1) educational method or tool that was used to teach the client (make sure to use 2 to 3 research articles to support the use of this teaching method or tool). Explain why this method or tool was appropriate for your client.

5. Identify three (3) goals related to the identified need that you provided to your client during the health teaching. These goals should be client-focused. Each goal should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals).

ANSWER

 Health Education Plan for Patients with Limited Range of Motion due to Osteoarthritis

Introduction

Health education plays a crucial role in empowering patients with knowledge and skills to manage their health conditions effectively. This client health education plan focuses on individuals with limited range of motion due to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage deterioration, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. By addressing the learning needs of these patients, we aim to enhance their understanding of osteoarthritis and equip them with strategies to improve their physical and mental well-being.

Client Background Information

 Client: Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson Age Range: 65-70 years

Cultural/Social Contexts: Mrs. Thompson is a retired schoolteacher, living independently in her own home. She values her active lifestyle and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Medical Diagnoses: Osteoarthritis, primarily affecting her knees and hips.

Reason for Admission: Seeking guidance and support for managing her limited range of motion and associated symptoms.

Focused Assessment and Findings

 Focused Assessment: Range of motion assessment, joint examination, pain assessment. 

Findings: Mrs. Thompson displays limited range of motion in her knees and hips, experiencing pain and stiffness (Iversen et al., 2016). Joint palpation reveals crepitus and tenderness. She reports difficulty with daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs.

Identified Learning Need

Learning Need: Understanding the impact of limited range of motion on physical and mental health. 

Importance: Limited range of motion affects daily functioning, reduces independence, and negatively impacts overall quality of life. Research studies emphasize the importance of patient education in managing osteoarthritis, highlighting its positive effects on pain reduction, self-management, and functional improvement (1)(2).

Educational Method or Tool

 Educational Method: Interactive group sessions focusing on joint protection and exercise.

 Rationale: Research supports the effectiveness of group-based education in improving self-efficacy, physical function, and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis (3). Group sessions foster peer support, allow for sharing experiences, and provide practical demonstrations of exercises and joint protection techniques (Shao et al., 2021).

Client-Focused SMART Goals

 Goal 1: Increase Mrs. Thompson’s knowledge about osteoarthritis management within two weeks.

Specific: Mrs. Thompson will demonstrate understanding of osteoarthritis causes, symptoms, and self-management strategies.

Measurable: Mrs. Thompson will correctly answer a series of questions about osteoarthritis during a follow-up assessment.

Achievable: The information will be presented in a clear and concise manner, using visual aids and verbal explanations.

Relevant: Enhancing Mrs. Thompson’s knowledge will empower her to actively participate in her care and make informed decisions.

Time-Bound: The goal will be achieved within two weeks of initiating the education sessions.

Goal 2: Improve Mrs. Thompson’s joint protection techniques and adherence to recommended exercises within one month.

Specific: Mrs. Thompson will demonstrate proper techniques for joint protection and perform prescribed exercises.

Measurable: Mrs. Thompson will perform joint protection techniques and exercises during supervised sessions and at home.

Achievable: The sessions will include hands-on practice, individualized demonstrations, and feedback.

Relevant: Improved joint protection and exercise adherence will reduce pain, enhance joint stability, and increase functional ability.

Time-Bound: The goal will be achieved within one month, with regular reinforcement and follow-up.

Goal 3: Enhance Mrs. Thompson’s emotional well-being by promoting self-care and stress management within three months.

Specific: Mrs. Thompson will identify and utilize self-care strategies and stress management techniques.

Measurable: Mrs. Thompson will document her self-care activities and apply stress management techniques in daily life.

Achievable: The education sessions will provide information on self-care practices, relaxation techniques, and coping strategies (National Academies Press (US), 2021).

Relevant: Addressing emotional well-being supports overall health, reduces anxiety, and enhances coping with chronic pain.

Time-Bound: The goal will be achieved within three months, with ongoing support and encouragement.

Conclusion

By addressing the learning needs of patients with limited range of motion due to osteoarthritis, this health education plan aims to improve their understanding of the condition and equip them with practical strategies to manage their physical and mental well-being. Utilizing evidence-based educational methods and setting SMART goals will empower patients like Mrs. Thompson to actively participate in their care, improve self-efficacy, and enhance their overall quality of life.

References

Iversen, M. D., Price, L. L., Iversen, M. D., Harvey, W. S., & Wang, C. (2016). Physical examination findings and their relationship with performance-based function in adults with knee osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1151-3 

National Academies Press (US). (2021, May 11). Supporting the Health and Professional Well-Being of Nurses. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573902/ 

Shao, J., Yu, K., & Chen, S. (2021). Effectiveness of a self-management program for joint protection and physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 116, 103752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103752