Nathen Yunker was caring for a 76-year-old male with lung cancer and metastasis to the bone who was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia. The plan was to treat the patient’s acute pneumonia and send him home to hospice. The Veteran’s family was very involved and often at the bedside.

During his admission, the Veteran’s primary concern was having his toenails trimmed. This was the focus of multiple conversations, and even the pharmacist working with him was well aware of his toenail concerns. Although this wasn't the medical team’s primary priority, Nurse Yunker made it his.

He reached out to Sunshine Vanderboom, APRN in Podiatry, and they were able to make an appointment to get his nails trimmed while in the ICU that worked for both the Veteran’s medical needs and the Podiatry clinic’s schedule. Even though it is not customary to take a critically ill patient to an outpatient appointment, they both saw this need as palliative and a patient priority. They made an exception to meet the patient where he was and provide him with something he viewed as important. This small act made a difference in the Veteran’s quality of life while in the ICU. The entire medical team noticed that the Veteran was in a much better mood after getting his nails trimmed.

Additionally, this Veteran had not been eating much despite encouragement, assistance from the kitchen, a dietary consult, and family at the bedside. Nurse Yunker talked with the Veteran about how his spouse had spent the previous day making homemade chicken and noodles. The patient stated it sounded good, so Nathen brought him some from home. The Veteran ate a few tablespoons for dinner, more than he usually eats at a single meal. Nathen saved the rest for the Veteran to eat the next night. This was very meaningful for the Veteran, as well as beneficial to his health.

Nurse Yunker showed this patient exceptional care as a critical care nurse, and his thoughtful, meaningful gestures made a difference for this Veteran.