Health disparities

Provide a comprehensive description of health disparities, including the role(s) of the nurse in in decreasing health disparities for a chosen population. Using the concepts of functional ability and/or health disparities discuss a plan to improve care for Dale Mayman from the reading below.

“The nurse on the previous shift reports to you that Mr. Mayman, admitted with tremors, is depressed and angry about being in the hospital.

Dale is a 51 year old white male divorced twice and just remarried for the third time. He was a truck driver for many years. He would binge drink on weekends so extensive that he was diagnosed with chronic liver disease secondary to alcoholic cirrhosis. He cannot work now and is on disability. He was just recently told he has high blood pressure and is on a salt restriction. He started going to the Methodist church requesting redemption for all his sins. Mr. Mayman is having a follow-up examination of his blood pressure. The treatment for this blood pressure has been the salt restriction in his diet.  When you introduce yourself to Mr. Mayman, his shirt is wrinkled and has coffee stains on the pocket.  His hair is combed but appears shaggy.  Upon the introductions, he only mumbles hello and has minimal eye contact with you.

Mr. Mayman has hypertension. He is being admitted to the psychiatric unit primarily for manifestations of problems with cognition. He is disoriented, mumbling incoherently, volatile temper, threats of violence against his wife, and expression of wanting to end it all. Mrs. Mayman is at his side. The nurse notices bruising on her left upper arm in a pattern indicative of someone squeezing her arm and a healing bruise on her right cheek.

The nurse is now admitting Mr. Mayman. Dale Mayman was found unconscious. When he awoke in the emergency room he complains of being itchy, bloated, and nauseated. He states this has been “coming on for months”. His renal function tests reveal 18% functioning capacity of his kidneys. He is put on hemodialysis.

Dale Mayman has develop acute renal injury secondary to his hypertension. He is hospitalized. ”