[A Postoperative Nursing Experience Applying Swanson`s Caring Theory in a Teenager With Pectus Excavatum]

A nursing experience applying Swanson`s caring theory in the care of a teenage patient who received Nuss procedure for his pectus excavatum is described in this article. After the operation, the patient suffered from postoperative pain, lack of knowledge, and body-image disturbance. These symptoms influenced the patient`s physical and mental health, and prompted the author to do an in-depth investigation and discussion of this case. The nursing period lasted from July 3rd to 10th, 2019. The author conducted a comprehensive nursing assessment using observation, interviews, listening, and telephone interviews. The major problems identified were acute pain, lack of knowledge, and body-image disturbance. During the nursing period, the author established a good therapeutic relationship with the patient. The author applied Swanson`s caring theory to understand the patient`s healthcare needs and provide appropriate care. The author discussed the treatment direction with the patient, applied cognitive-behavioral strategies to relieve pain, educated the patient on developing and implementing individualized rehabilitation plans to establish correct posture in daily activities, and helped the patient adapt to post-operative changes in appearance and maintain a positive attitude toward the future. The age gap between the author and the patient required that the author spend additional time communicating with the patient to encourage him to open up his mind. It is recommended that hospitals offer youth communication skills lessons for nurses to enhance their communication and care skills with people of different age groups. In sharing this nursing experience, we hope to provide medical staff with a reference for caring for adolescent patients with disease-related body-image disturbance.