Mental Health Case: George Palo
Documentation Assignments
1. Document your findings related to the focused assessment regarding Mr. Palo’s possible
... [Show More] cognitive decline and
depression. Include his responses to your assessment.
- The findings related to the focused assessment involve the loss of his wife and recent passing of his dog Max
contributing to his possible cognitive decline and depression. Mr. Palo states that “If I try to eat or shower, I get so tired
that I give up”. When asked about having energy to the activities that give him enjoyment, the patient stated: “I would
like to go take walks like I used to, but I don’t do it so much anymore”. George is demonstrating a lack of interest in the
activities that he once used to enjoy which may indicate depression.
2. Document your findings related to the assessment of Mr. Palo associated with the Geriatric Depression Scale screening
tool. Include his responses to your assessment.
-The Geriatric Depression Scale screening tool indicates that Mr. Palo is depressed as he scored 10 points out of a
possible 15. Mr. Palo marked that he is not satisfied with his life and lacks the interest of doing what he used to enjoy.
When asked what was going on with him today, he stated: “Sometimes I’m not sure where I am or what is happening. It
scares me”. George lost his wife three years ago and just recently lost his dog, Max. Grief is taking over Mr. Palo and he
even stated that “Max gave me a reason to live and now he’s gone too”.
3. Referring to your feedback log, document all nursing care provided and Mr. Palo’s response to this care.
0:00 You checked scene
safety. It was correct to
check scene safety in
order to maintain your
own safety.
0:07 You introduced yourself.
0:37 You washed your hands.
0:43 You identified the patient.
2:01 You asked the patient: Is it OK for your daughter to be here, while
we talk? The patient said: Yes. It was correct to let the patient
give his consent for letting his daughter be a part of the interview.
2:12 You made a safety check of the surroundings and the patient's
belongings.
2:43 You asked the patient: Can you tell me a little bit more about
what's going on with you today? It was appropriate to ask the
patient what was going on with him to get an understanding of
this.
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3:17 The patient said: Sometimes I'm not sure where I am or what is
happening. It scares me.\nYou answered: What seems to lead up
to those feelings? \nYou used the therapeutic technique of
placing the event in time or sequence.
3:34 You asked the patient: Over the past year, when did you feel your
best? It was appropriate to ask the patient about when he felt his
best.
3:57 The patient said: Max gave me a reason to live and now he's
gone too.\nYou answered: Are you saying you feel hopeless?
\nYou used the therapeutic technique of translating to feelings.
4:02 You supported the patient about loss of dog.
4:24 You measured the blood pressure.
4:47 You measured the temperature.
5:08 You checked the pulse oximetry.
5:27 You checked the radial pulse.
5:40 You assessed the respiration.
5:52 You auscultated the lung sounds.
6:06 You asked the patient: Do you have any difficulty with your
breathing? The patient said: No.
6:12 You asked the patient: Do you have chest pain? The patient said:
No, I don't.
6:17 You asked the patient: Do you have any pain? The patient said:
No, I don't have any pain.
6:25 You checked the patient's skin.
7:08 You asked the patient: Have you lost or gained weight over the
past month? The patient said: I think I have lost weight, but I
don't really weigh myself.
7:39 You asked the patient: Have you been eating much less or much
more over the past few weeks?
7:56 The patient said: I'm not hungry and I'm tired all the time.\nYou
answered: That's not uncommon when you are grieving. \nYou
used the nontherapeutic technique of denial.
7:57 You asked the patient: Do you notice that your clothes are fitting
looser or tighter than they were a few weeks ago? The patient
said: Come to think of it, I did have to move the notch over in my
belt to tighten up my pants.
8:15 You asked the patient: Have you had any changes in your
appetite over the past month? [Show Less]