CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Assessment Task Two:Clinical Scenario

SCENARIO:

Ruby is a 10 year old girl living in a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory. She has 2 brothers and 2 sisters between the ages of 3 to 12 years. She is living in a small house in a community with her mother and aunt who also has four small children. There is a total of nine children and two young women living in the house. Ruby’s father lives away during most weeks but is home at the weekends. The house has three bedrooms so the children sleep together on mattresses in the central area of the house. The family has three dogs that sleep inside with the children at night. There is one small bathroom and one toilet to share which often becomes blocked. The family receives money from Centre link as there is no income from any employment. The family usually runs out of money and therefore food by the time the next payment is due.Sometimes the father catches kangaroo or Bush Turkey and brings it home to eat but often the children are hungry.

Rubywas diagnosed as a five-year-old with Rheumatic Heart Disease and is required to have injections every 3 weeks for at least 10 years, as well as follow up cardiac tests.These tests include Echocardiography which can only be done in city hospitals. Ruby started her life underweight at birth and has suffered many middle ear infections leading to decreased hearing which has affected her speech.

Ruby frequently misses school but when she does attend, she is fed breakfast to start her day which is great as often food is scarce within the family. She is still under weight for her age.

Question6:

Thinking about Ruby and her family situation, choose one (1) of the following – a, b, c or d. Explain the effect either past or present trauma would have on her and her family’s ability to: Make decisions about her health Communicate with health professionals Understand her diagnosis and the treatment needed Retain information explained by the health tea (4 marks).