Helping a man with leprosy: a case study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This case study illustrates nursing diagnoses and interventions for a man with leprosy. DATA SOURCES Data sources were published literature on the disease of leprosy, and the experience and expertise of the authors in working with people with leprosy. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data were synthesized using the standardized nursing languages of North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International and the Nursing Interventions Classification. The accuracy of the diagnoses and the appropriateness of the nursing interventions were supported by the positive health outcomes of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Although leprosy has been eradicated in some countries, the risk of new cases is present anywhere that Mycobacterium leprae still exists. The recommended treatment of multibacilar polychemotherapy has lowered the rate of new cases in Brazil. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses need to incorporate evidence-based practice interventions for leprosy-based wound care, and nurses should encourage persons with leprosy to maintain regular medical care with multibacilar polychemotherapy.