Sample Nursing Assignment

{`
E1144
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)
Module 1: Meeting the needs of older people 
This is assessment 3 of 3.
`}

1. Background/Overview

Aged care workers use a person-centred approach to provide physical and emotional support to their clients. They provide care in an aged care facility, or perhaps in the client’s own home. The support tasks vary with each client and may range from assisting with activities of daily living, equipment and aids, to providing social and emotional support.

2. Brief

In this assessment you will demonstrate your knowledge relating to the underpinning theories regarding modern aged care, as well as your ability to determine and respond to an individual’s physical personal support needs and to support activities of daily living.

The questions in this assessment outline case studies and scenarios that you are likely to come across as you work in the aged care industry. Some of the questions have multiple parts to the questions, so please make sure you answer all the parts of the questions and pay attention to the word count indicators (where provided).

3. Activities

Answer the following 9 short-answer questions:

1. Answer the following questions - A, B, and C – relating to person-centred care.

Type your answers in the boxes provided. Be careful to note the number of words required (indicated in brackets at the end of each question).

• A: What are the principles of person-centred care? (50-100 words)
• B: Explain how person-centred care can be achieved, especially when caring for a client who has recently had a stroke and has lost the ability to walk. (50-100 words)
• C: Identify the risk factors associated with person-centred care. (50-100 words)

2. Complete the table below by first filling in the sections about how a person may be affected by each of the different illnesses or conditions.

Next, identify how a support worker could encourage and assist the older person to engage actively in all living activities and to seek assistance when needed.

Two points in each box are sufficient.

3. Aged care no longer focuses on the weaknesses, but on the strengths of what a client can do and the choices they make. Many clients, as they age, give up on life and expect care workers to do everything for them.

This is often due to a recognition of their weaknesses, however, modern methods, with an emphasis on a client’s strengths, promote individualism and empowerment. This latest industry approach is person-centred care.

Below is a list of some current underpinning approaches in the aged care sector. Give an explanation/definition of each, and an example of how you can empower the client for each. Write just one sentence in each section of the table.

4. For each of the pieces of equipment listed below, state how they might assist a person with mobility issues to maintain their independence, and how the equipment reduces risk of injury or accident for the client.

5. For the three pieces of equipment/aids in the table below, state:

1. What it is typically used for.
2. How you look after it to keep it well maintained.
3. Some standard procedures for its use.

6. For the list of hazards in the table associated with personal care in an aged care facility, state:

1. How you would avoid/reduce the risk by naming a strategy or a tool that can assist in the reduction of the hazard (preventative strategy).
2. How you would respond to the risk should it occur (reactive strategy).

The first one has been completed for you as an example.

7. Look at each of the different types of services below. For each service, outline:

• When a person might access each service.
• What the service does.
• How the service benefits the older person and / or their carer

8. Outline in the table how a support worker would provide support to a client with these tasks.

Give examples when you might seek the assistance of your supervisor.

9. Read each of the scenarios below, and determine whether or not the clients’ individual needs have been met, in terms of their diversity in culture, spirituality, and sexuality.

5. Units of Competency

This assessment contributes to the overall competencies for the following unit(s) of competency:
CHCAGE001 Facilitate the empowerment of older people
HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems
CHCCCS011 Meet personal support needs

---

{`
E1144
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)
Module 2:  Individualised support, communication and working legally & ethically 
This is assessment 2 of 4.
`}

1. Background/Overview

In order to work in the aged care sector as a care support worker, you will need knowledge of your own legal and ethical responsibilities, and in order to do this you will have a grasp of the different legal and ethical considerations and situations you may encounter, as well as the frameworks that encompass these considerations in the aged care sector.

2. Brief

This assessment consists of seven (7) parts.

This assessment will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge in the following areas:

• Ethical responsibilities
• Policies, protocols and industry jargon
• Legal considerations
• Legal and ethical frameworks
• Rights and responsibilities
• Workplace and performance improvements

3. Activities

Part 1. Ethical responsibilities

A: Imagine you are working as an aged care support worker for an individual who receives support in their home. You spend a lot of time at the house and have developed great rapport with the whole family; they treat you like part of the family.

On one occasion, the family try to give you a gift.

Complete the table:

B: There are many other potential ethical issues that may arise from working closely with a family, or an individual. Identify one (1) other potential ethical issue or dilemma that may arise. Complete the table:

C: Imagine that the family ask you to do some extra weekend cleaning or other support work for cash:

• what is the potential conflict of interest?
• what action should you take? (50-100 words)
• List and describe what your professional boundaries are within this situation?

1. What is the potential conflict of interest?
2. What action should you take? (50-100 words)
3. List and describe what your professional boundaries are within this situation?

Part 2.

As a care support worker in aged care and home and community, your clients may be elderly or you may be called upon to provide care support for younger people with a disability. You will also be working with people from diverse cultures and ethnicities, and you will undoubtedly come across some beliefs or behaviours that are different to yours.

Read the scenario and then answer the question:

Ji-yoon is a university student who has multiple sclerosis. Her parents believe students should study very hard, for many hours a day. As Ji-yoon’s support worker, you see a potential difficulty with this as after so much study, Ji-yoon has no time for the activities in her support plan. You wish to suggest that on top of her study hours, she does only one more hour of homework per day.

A: There are two competing value systems in this scenario: the family value academia very highly and place this at the top of Ji-yoon’s agenda; as her support worker, you value her individual plan and the associated activities, such as her engagement in physiotherapy and speech therapy.

Identify and briefly describe one (1) technique you could use to solve this problem by reflecting on your own vaules. (50-100 words)

B: How can you ensure your own personal values and attitudes do not impact on your work, and you engage in non-judgemental practice when supporting people with different ideas and cultures to your own? (50-100 words)

C: Imagine that Ji-yoon adds you as a friend on a social networking site.  Would it be a breach of professional boundaries if you accepted her request? Briefly explain your answer. (50-100 words)

Part 3. Policies, protocols and industry jargon

A: Complete the table below regarding workplace policies and procedures.

B: As an aged care support worker, it is vital that you understand some key terminology, or jargon, related to working legally and ethically in your industry.

In your own words, explain what the difference is between ‘code of conduct’ and ‘code of practice’ as it relates to care support work. (50-100 words)

C: In your own words, define each of the terms in the table, and briefly describe what these terms mean and how it may be applied.

D: When communicating your organisation’s service information to an individual receiving support, their carer, or family, why is it essential that you consider how to communicate the information in a clear and easy to understand way? (50-100 words)

Part 4. Legal considerations

A: Leaving a group of people with high support needs alone for two hours is an example of a breach of duty of care, and since it comes under the umbrella of negligence, it is a legal issue.

Complete the table regarding legal issues in the context of an aged care support worker role:

B: Complete the table regarding some legal considerations in your work role.

C: Research relevant laws pertaining to the anti-discrimination of an aged person. Complete the table.

Part 5. Legal and ethical frameworks

A: There are many differences between legal and ethical frameworks, and this can often be seen in the consequences of illegal and unethical actions.

Read the examples of illegal and unethical actions related to age care support work, and complete the tables on the legal and ethical consequences of each action:

B: For the next table, complete the legal and ethical consequences for each situation and also include what action you would take.

C: In the tables above, identify which actions are an issue of human rights. Refer to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if you need help. (20-50 words)

D: What is the difference between human needs and human rights? (20-50 words)

E: If you need more information on the human rights frameworks, approaches and instruments used in your workplace:

• where can you look for information?
• who can you talk to?
• why is it important for you to know the human rights frameworks and approaches used in your workplace?

Complete the table:

Part 6. Rights and responsibilities

A: As a care support worker, you must uphold the rights of individuals you provide support for, but also remember that you too have rights that need to be upheld. Rights are usually governed by laws.

You are also obliged to meet your responsibilities (your duties) to the people you support, but don’t forget that the individuals you work with, their families and/or carers, also have a responsibility towards you.

Imagine you are working for CareShore, providing support to an aged person in their home. Complete the table regarding the rights and responsibilities of both you as the aged care support worker, the individual as the person receiving support, and CareShore as the employer.

An example of each has been done for you.

B: Older people and people with a disability who receive support have the right to complain if they feel their rights have been breached, or they are not receiving the care they want.

Imagine that Ji-yoon’s university has suggested she attend another university, as they don’t feel they can adequately support her needs in a mainstream environment. Ji-yoon’s parents ask you for your help to complain about this.

Outline six (6) steps you can take to help Ji-yoon’s family understand their rights, and start a complaint process. Take into consideration their communication and language needs.

Part 7. Workplace and performance improvements

Read the scenario and answer the questions:

Dylan is an aged care support worker and is new to his role. He is currently assisting Malcolm with his morning routine.

Dylan enters Malcolm’s room and open the curtains. He walks into the bathroom and turns on the shower. Dylan then goes over to the bed to wake Malcolm up; he does this by taking back the doona and saying ‘good morning’. Dylan tells Malcolm he is going to help him shower and goes to get the chair to assist Malcolm to the bathroom.

Dylan sees that the shower is very hot, and lifts Malcolm into the shower. It turns out that the shower is scalding and Malcolm suffers some burns.

A: Identify and briefly explain at least three (3) ways Dylan can improve his work practices. Say whether each is related to Dylan’s legal or ethical responsibilities.

Complete the table:

B: Feedback on workplace practices is vital to ensuring you are providing the best care possible, meeting your legal and ethical requirements, and contributing to improving your workplace.

Complete the table about improving work practices and procedures by providing feedback to colleagues and supervisors.

C: When you work in the aged care support industry, you will need to do a number of things to ensure you are working to the correct standards and that your knowledge is accurate and up-to-date.

Look at the information in the table and answer the questions:

5. Units of Competency

This assessment meets the following units of competency:
CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

---

{`
E1144
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)
Module 2:  Individualised support, communication and working legally & ethically 
This is assessment 3 of 4.   
`}

1. Background/Overview

In determining a person’s care support needs, you need to consider their individual goals, strengths, and rights and apply these in a person-centred approach to their support.

You must also ensure you are encouraging self-determination and empowerment. For this assessment you will be following Julie as she assists Emma in her support needs. Use your imagination and do your own research if necessary to assist Emma in achieving her future goals.

2. Brief

This assessment consists of three (3) parts.

This assessment gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge in the following areas:

• Determining support needs
• Provide support services
• Monitoring individualised care plans and activities

3. Activities

Answer the following short-answer questions:

• Your written answers should be approximate 50-100 words in length (+/-10%) per question unless otherwise indicated. The word count is a guideline and you can present your answers in narrative or bullet point format.
• Ensure you acknowledge and cite your sources accordingly – this is important whether you use your own words or another writer’s. You can review the Academic Referencing Guide in your student handbook.

Part 1. Determining support needs.

A: Read the scenario then answer the questions.

Emma is one of Julie’s care clients who currently lives in her own home; she has progressive multiple sclerosis and and uses an electric wheelchair for mobility.

It has been a while since Emma’s individualised care plan has been reviewed and updated, and as such, Julie is helping the assessment team in the process of determining Emma’s support needs, with a view to amending her individualised care plan.

In supporting Emma, Julie needs to use person-centred practice, strengths-based practice and active support as this provides the foundations of care support work and individualised support.

Briefly describe each of these three foundations of care support work and individualised support.

B: Read the scenario then answer the questions.

Emma is reliant on community supports provided by Careshore to enable her to continue living in her own home, and Julie currently prepares and cooks Emma’s evening meals.  Emma used to have a wide social circle, but recently she has noticed that as it is more difficult for her to access the community on her own, so she has fewer opportunities to catch up. She sometimes feels isolated and would like more opportunities to meet others. She was previously a teacher before her disability meant she couldn’t work in a classroom, and she misses working and feeling valued in a professional capacity.

Imagine you are Emma’s care support worker, Julie.

You need to work in collaboration with Emma to identify actions and activities that support her goals.

Identify three (3) goals Emma might have nominated that will promote her independence, and three (3) strategies for achieving each goal. Complete the table. An example has been provided for you.

C: Using the same goals from the previous question - the goals you believe Emma may have nominated - briefly describe how you could prepare for the support activities that will enable Emma to achieve her goals. An example has been provided for you:

D: Using Emma’s goals from the previous two questions, can you identify any equipment that needs to be gathered or assembled in order for Emma to achieve the goals she has nominated in her individual plan?

An example has been provided for you.

E: Using the first goal from the previous activities, identify and briefly explain how you can:

• provide assistance to Emma in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment
• provide assistance to Emma in order to maintain a clean and comfortable environment

F: When Emma is preparing and cooking her own meals, she may injure herself, or fail to prepare the meal correctly. This is, however, her prerogative, and falls under the concept of dignity of risk.

Using the goals in Emma’s individualised care plan, identify a dignity of risk consideration that needs to be prepared for. An example has been provided for you.

G: How can you balance your duty of care requirements with Emma’s right to dignity of risk? (50-100 words)

H: In determining and delivering Emma’s support needs, there are some vital aspects you must take into consideration as her care support worker.

Complete the table relating to these considerations:

Part 2. Provide support services

A: In order to have a working, collaborative relationship with the people for whom you provide aged care support services, you need to talk and work with them in ways that develop and establish trust.

Identify three (3) ways you can do this. Complete the table; an example has been provided for you:

B: Why is it important to do the following when providing aged care support services?

• Prepare for and follow the individualised care plan
• Acknowledge and respect the individual’s preferences
• Accknowledge and respect the individual’s strengths
• Follow organisational protocols and procedures (think about privacy)
• Respect individual differences (think about respect and dignity)

Complete the table:

Part 3. Monitoring individualised care plans and activities

A: Briefly describe three (3) ways you can monitor your own work to ensure the standard of support you are providing Emma, or another individual, is maintained.

B: In the table below, there are five ways of monitoring Emma’s support activities. Each of these monitoring methods needs to be done in a manner that supports Emma’s self-determination.

Outline one (1) way in which each process could happen in a self-determining way for Emma.

The first one has been done as an example.

C: As previously mentioned in Emma’s case, she sometimes feels isolated and would like more opportunities to meet others. Due to frustration with this and her other circumstances, she can sometimes be verbally aggressive.

Knowing Emma’s situation, can you identify any situations of potential or actual risk? (50-100 words)

D: How should you respond to any potential or actual risks in the scope of your own work role? (50-100 words)

E: When Emma is verbally aggressive, it is likely a sign of her unmet needs. In this scenario, it appears that one of Emma’s needs is human contact, and a lack of this results in her needs being unmet and her feeling isolated. This then manifests as verbal aggression.

Signs of unmet needs are often called ‘behaviours of concern.

Identify three (3) examples of behviours of concern as a sign of additional or unmet needs, and decide how you would respond (take confidentiality, reporting and service provision into account).

F: When monitoring and documenting Emma’s support, you will need to take into consideration the requirements of your workplace, confidentiality, and other workplace protocols.

Complete the table below for reporting and documentation considerations.

5. Units of Competency

This assessment meets the following units of competency:
CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

---

{`
E1144
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)
Module 2:  Individualised support, communication and working legally & ethically 
This is assessment 4 of 4.
`}

1. Background/Overview

When you work for an aged care sector organisation, you may encounter some workplace issues when you are required to complete an incident report. In doing so, you must ensure your communication is objective, accurate and concise.

You will also need to know how to communicate in the workplace and follow your workplace procedures for any communication.

Effective communication is a vital part of succeeding in your work role and you will need a good grasp of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.

2. Brief

This assessment consists of three (3) parts.

This assessment provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the following areas:

• Completing an incident report according to workplace policies
• Write a workplace email
• Report conflict situations to a supervisor
• Principles of effective communication

There is an appendix at the end of the assessments, you will need to refer to it to complete Part 1, question B and Part 2, question B.

3. Activities

Part 1.

Read the scenario:

You are working at an aged care facility such as CareShore.

You are approaching the staff room when you overhear Maria and Kylie, two staff members, arguing loudly. Maria is unhappy with Kylie, as she is always takes long breaks, and expresses her frustration by loudly voicing that Kylie is very irresponsible as an employee. She says that taking such long breaks is breaching her duty of care towards the aged care clients she supports.

Kylie storms out of the staff room and as she walks away she shouts that Maria is not her manager and that she does not take any orders from her.

After some time, you come across Maria and Kylie engaged in another dispute, and this time they are arguing in front of some CareShore residents and their families.

In line with CareShore policy, you are required to complete an incident report and then send that incident report with a covering email to your Supervisor to report the problem and seek help.

A. Complete the Incident Report below. You only need to complete the ‘What happened?’ field. Remember to be objective, accurate and concise in your account of events.

B. Now you have completed the incident report, you need to email your supervisor according to CareShore’s communication protocols. Look at Appendix 1 at the end of the assessment.

Appendix 1 is a document pertaining to CareShore’s communication protocols. Read it carefully, then write an appropriate email (100-200 words) to your supervisor.

{`
Supervisor’s name:  Daniel Jacobsen
What to include in the email: 		
1) The events you have witnessed				
2) Why you wish to discuss the issues with Daniel, the Supervisor 			
3) Suggest what Daniel could do about the situation
`}

Make sure you use clear, accurate and objective language when documenting events, and be careful to use industry terminology correctly.

{`
New Message                                                                                                                                                                   _   x 
To:    d.jacobsen@careshore.com.au
From: 
Subject:
`}

C: In this scenario, you identified early signs of potentially complicated or difficult situations, and reported them according the CareShore’s procedures. Briefly explain why it was necessary to do this. (50-100 words).

D: Did Kyle and Maria breach any legal or ethical responsibilities? Explain your answer. (50-100 words)

E: Why is it necessary to :

• refer unresolved conflict situations to your supervisor? (50-100 words)
• refer issues impacting on employee or client rights and responsibilities to your supervisor? (50-100 words)

Complete the table:

Part 2.

Daniel, your Supervisor, replies to your email a couple of hours later:

{`
RE: Help with a staff issue
From:    d.jacobsen@careshore.com.au
To me
14.36   2 hours ago
Hi _______,
Firstly, thank you for your email. It’s important that as a team we all look out for each other, and I’m glad to see you are looking out for Maria and Kylie as part of your team. 
I understand your concerns, and I really value the suggestions you made. I will make arrangements to talk to Maria and Kylie privately so we don’t breach any privacy or confidentiality issues. 
A chat would be great, so pop by the office when you get a moment and we can discuss more.  
Thanks again,
Daniel
`}

A: Why is it important that Daniel does the following:

• listens to your requests
• clarifies any meaning he is unsure of
• responds to you appropriately
• exchanges information in a timely manner
• respects confidentiality procedures?

Complete the table.

B: Read CareShore’s communication protocols again in Appendix 1, and in your own words, explain why Daniel will use a memo over another form of communication, to arrange the team discussion. (20-50 words)

Part 3.

A: Maria and Kylie are unable to communicate properly.

Suggest two (2) verbal and two (2) non-verbal communication methods that may help them to communicate in a respectful and constructive way. An example has been provided for you:

B: Identify and briefly describe one (1) instance, situation, or occasion when non-verbal communication would be more appropriate than verbal communication. (50-100 words)

C: If you see Maria and Kylie arguing again, what communication skills could you use to defuse and help resolve the conflict? Briefly describe two (2) methods you could use.

Communication methods to avoid, defuse and resolve conflict situations:

D: What role do grammar, speed and pronunciation play in effective verbal communication?

E: Maria and Kylie have barriers, or constraints, to communicating effectively with each other. For example:

• shouting
• rolling their eyes
• crossing their arms
• walking away when the other is speaking.

Identify four (4) more constraints to effective communication and an appropriate communication strategy, method or technique to help resolve the block or barrier.

An example has been provided for you.

Appendix 1: CareShore’s communication protocols

5. Units of Competency

This assessment meets the following units of competency:
CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

© Open Colleges Pty Ltd, 2016. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.