title: [Applying uncertainty theory in caring for the family of a von Willebrand disease patient experiencing first time upper gastrointestinal bleeding].
abstract: The purpose of this report was to describe the nursing experience in helping a primary caregiver cope with uncertainty as his mother experienced upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding underlying von Willebrand disease and Scleromyxedema in an Emergency Department between 10 and 18 July 2008. Mishel's Uncertainty Theory was applied to assess the caregiver's uncertainty and patient disease progression. Data were collected through clinical observation, chart review, and interviews. The caregiver's nursing problems were identified as (1) uncertainty caused by symptoms of the rare disease and the probability of recurrent bleeding in the future; (2) uncertainty caused by lack of knowledge about the disease; (3) uncertainty caused by lack of confidence in home caring issues after UGI bleeding. During the nursing period, we provided clinical information related to the disease and offered psychological support to the caregiver based on our Mishel's Uncertainty Scale assessment. Successful strategies utilized by our intervention helped the caregiver reduce level of uncertainty, increase confidence to care for his mother, and improve the quality of further home care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, National Taiwan University Hospital.
authors.forename: Ai-Lun
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Shiow-Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shun
authors.forename: Chih-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009742:Nursing Theory; D035501:Uncertainty; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000150:complications*