Disc Topic 1 Week 1
Alma Faulkenberger is an 85-year-old female outpatient sitting in the waiting room
awaiting an invasive pelvic procedure. The health care professional who will assist in her
procedure enters the room and calls "Alma." There is no reply so the professional
retreats to the work area. Fifteen minutes later the professional returns and calls "Alma
Frankenberg." Still no reply, so he leaves again. Another 15 minutes pass and the
professional approaches Alma and shouts in her ear, "Are you Alma Frankenberg?" She
replies, "No I am not, and I am not deaf either, and when you get my name correct, I will
answer you."
Using the topic 1 materials, develop a plan to help Alma be compliant with the procedure
and post-treatment medication. Also, describe the approach you would take to patient
education in this case.
The best way to handle s situation and to aide Mrs. Faulkenberg's compliance would be
another health care professional apologizing to start. As a rule of thumb, I was taught when
working with patients especially elderly Mr. and Mrs. Should be used when addressing them
unless told otherwise (Mayne, 2019). If no-one responded when the name was called, then I
feel the women should have been asked what her name is or if she is waiting to be seen.
The approach just seems uncaring or professional. When calling names out into the waiting
room I make sure to ask the patient if I pronounced their name right or if that is what they want
to be called out of respect and the fact not everyone goes by their legal name. Making eye
contact, a smile while introducing yourself is also important. If someone treated your
grandmother like this how would you feel?
There are multiple things to consider as to why Alma Faulkenberger did not respond the way
this situation played out. A full assessment should be completed before assuming, the patient
also deserves specifics about herself to be asked in a private area. In this specific case I
believe asking the patient what she would like to be called would be a great way to show
respect and start forming a good patient-health care provider relationship. A bond must be
established of trust before there will be a good working relationship.
There is no way to even begin to know what this patient is dealing with or experiences she
has had with healthcare providers simply approaching with empathy and attempting to listen to
the patient can get you far. This patient could be hard of hearing, in pain, dealing with chronic
conditions, or just flat out had bad experiences with providers. The other huge consideration
could be the patient’s independence.
The patient may feel hopeless or may have others making decisions for her and feels all she
has left is her name and how dare someone take that. Elderly in general do not like to be told
what to do or disrespected who would? I’ve personally had some patients that were resistant to
everything just plan angry with life until they are allowed to make decisions and be apart of
