A 62-year-old white male presented to the hospital for a scheduled ventriculoperitoneal shunt removal. The patient had developed cysts in the brain seventeen years ago in 1998 leading to increased intracranial pressures from accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. After discovering the brain cysts, the patient underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Two years after the shunt was placed, the patient underwent another procedure for shunt revisions due to complications with infection. Now, the patient is presenting for removal of the shunt. In the pre-op holding area, the patient’s vital signs were taken. The patient’s blood pressure was 153/75, heart rate 80, respirations 18, oxygen saturation 93% on room air, and temperature was 36.5 degrees Celsius. Prior to the patient’s surgery, lab work was performed consisting of a CBC and CMP. The patient’s white blood cell count was 11.7, platelets 379, hemoglobin was 10.8 and hematocrit was 33. The patient’s potassium level was 3.7, calcium 9.1, sodium 145, BUN 35, and creatinine 2.21. The patient had a medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction in 2010, COPD, pulmonary embolism, prostate cancer, gastro esophageal reflux disease, and small bowel adhesions. The patient had an echocardiogram six months ago with an ejection fraction of 45%. Individuals with “an EF of 25% to 50% have an intermediate risk for the development of postoperative low cardiac output
Physical Examination: General: The patient is an alert, oriented male appearing his stated age. He appears to be in moderate distress. Vital signs: blood pressure 132/78 and pulse 68 and regular. Temperature is 38.56 oC (101.4 oF). HEENT:Normocephalic, atraumatic. Pupils were equal, round, and reactive to light. Ears are clear. Throat is normal. Neck: The neck is supple with no carotid bruits. Lungs: The lungs are clear to auscultation and percussion. Heart: Regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen:Bowel sounds are normal. There is rebound tenderness with maximal discomfort on palpation in the right lower quadrant. Extremities: No clubbing, cyanosis, or edema.
As Jane was presenting with a symptom of a life threatening event it was important that treatment was immediate. Priority was initially made from assessment of the airways, breathing and circulation, level of consciousness and pain. Jane’s respirations on admission were recorded at a rate of 28 breaths per minute, she looked cyanosed. Jane’s other clinical observations recorded a heart rate of 105 beats per minute (sinus tachycardia), blood pressure (BP) of 140/85 and oxygen saturation (SPO2) on room air 87%. It is important to establish a base line so that the nurse is altered to sudden deterioration in the patient’s clinical condition. Jane’s PEWS score (Physiological Early Warning Score) was 4 and indicated a need for urgent medical attention (BTS 2006). Breathing was the most obvious issue and was the immediate priority.
African American male that is seen today for followup post hospital discharge. He is a 48-year-old gentleman with complicated cardiac history as well as neurological history including congestive heart failure. History of strokes 01/2017, possible sick sinus syndrome. He has an implanted pacemaker that was placed in 06/2017, as well as hypertension. He was taken to the Central Hospital on 09/01 with presentation of chest pain, noted to be around his pacemaker site. He identified being in seizure and suddenly felt chest pain with shortness of breath, and was offered nitro, he developed headaches and dyspnea post nitro treatment, of note is that the EKG that was obtained during that process, did not identify any pacemaker spike despite having a
Few days back, the patient had a CABG surgery and was send home under stable conditions. Family member noticed SOB and weakness from the patient and was directed to attend the ED. As they got to the ED, the emergency department nursing staff noticed SOB with pericardial hematoma and immediate drainage was necessary. A chest tube was placed as a treatment option.
Mr. Howard, a 57-year-old man, had a 3-month history of progressive typical anginal chest pain. He reported that the symptoms first occurred with heavy exertion and involved what he described as“heaviness” in his chest. The symptoms were promptly relieved with rest. Over the past weeks, he had been experiencing increasingly frequent episodes of chest pain and diaphoresis. The episodes had become more prolonged, and he had experienced one episode of pain occurring at rest after a heavy meal. Mr. Howard was moderately obese and had a 20-year history of hypertension, which was being treated. Other risk factors in Mr. Howard’s history include hypercholesterolemia (350 mg/dL), which he was attempting to treat with dietary modifications, and a 30-year two-pack-a-day smoking history which continued up to the present time. Mr. Howard previously had surgery for a bilateral inguinal hernia repair, cholecystectomy, and arthroscopic surgery on his left knew. He also gave a history of problems with gastric reflux and was currently taking cimetidine (Tagamet).
The patient tells me his last visit with Peter Dourdoufis, MD was just last week. I do not yet have a note from that visit. He says that he underwent an EKG and a stress test evaluation. To his knowledge, everything was okay, but he actually has an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Dourdoufis to review everything. No medication changes have been made per his report. He tells me that his blood pressures have been in a good range. Here today, his blood pressure is 126/76. He is not having problems with chest pain, shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion or lower extremity swelling. He is still working
HEENT: No thyroid enlargement, masses or adenopathy, JVP was 5 cm above sternal Angle, carotid pulse was strong and regular
He reported that he had a cardiac cath done at Tampa General Hospital this year with no intervention. He has had a history of hypertension since the age of 19. He was not adherent to medications, but for the last three years, he has been adherent to all his medical care. No history of stroke or peripheral vascular
He was admitted to the ICU because he had surgery to redone his stoma He was intubated because of respiratory failure after his abdominal surgery. his condition is very critical because the fluid from his wound vac and colostomy is dark red and patient is in distress. He was on constant monitoring for a change in his
“The patient is Adam Rudd, a 78 y/o white male with a history of hypertension. He has been diagnosed with hypertension past 15 years and is on anti-hypertensive medications and aspirin. He is very weak and short of breath. He is accompanied with his longtime friend Jennifer, who reports that Rudd was looking very weak and was complaining of severe headache and blurred vision before coming to the hospital. He is 5’9” and weighs 270 lb. Vital signs recorded were: oral temperature 98.20 F, BP 224/120 mm Hg with a heart rate of 102 beats/minute and respiration of 24 breaths per minute. The pulse oximetry reading was 94% on room air. He is complaining of severe headache and blurred vision. Rudd said that he did not take his antihypertensive medication or aspirin since he ran out of pills. He has not been taking his medication for past 15 days. He reports no known allergies to any medications or other substances.”
“Manual of Clinical Problems in Cardiology : With Annotated Key References” book is written by L. David Hillis in 1980. Hillis has MD degree obtained from Columbia University , New York,
The patient presented with an acute MI to Westchester Community Hospital on 8/8/15. Unsuccessful attempt at PTCA there, IABP placed and transferred to UH Main Hospital. Had a V Fib cardiac arrest upon arrival, ECG still showing a STEMI and taken directly to the cath lab where she had thrombectomy and 3 stents to an occluded LAD. Echo on 8/10/16 showed an EF of 20%. LifeVest was ordered upon discharge and is being denied by Anthem as not medically necessary.
The patient is a 45 year old man who had GI surgery 4 days ago. He is NPO, has a nasogastric tube, and IV fluids of D51/2saline at 100 mL/hr. The nursing physical assessment includes the following: alert and oriented; fine crackles; capillary refill within normal limits; moving all extremities, complaining of abdominal pain, muscle aches, and "cottony" mouth; dry mucous membranes, bowel sounds hypoactive, last BM four days ago; skin turgor is poor; 200 mL of dark green substance has drained from NG tube in last 3 hours. Voiding dark amber urine without difficulty. Intake for last 24 hours is 2500mL. Output is 2000mL including urine and NG drainage. Febrile and diaphoretic; BP 130/80; pulse 88; urine specific gravity 1.035; serum
Intravenous (IV) fluids were bolusing; however, when blood pressure was only obtainable manually and revealed that her blood pressure was 74/34, the decision was made to send the patient to the intensive care unit (ICU). There, coagulation studies revealed an elevated PT, PTT, D-dimer, and a decreased fibrinogen count. She received a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), a transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), as well as cryoprecipitate therapy during her treatment in the ICU.
A: Janie is a 60 year old Female with PMH of A-Fib, COPD, Hypothyroidism, HTN, Lung Cancer and recently diagnosed Pulmonary Embolism. Janie presents to ER for evaluation on SOB, cough with greenish sputum, sore thoart, hoarseness and generalized weakness. Janie lives at home with her husband, use to smoke ½ pack per week, but quit many years ago, denies alcohol or drugs. Family history is non-contributory. Allergies: NKDA. Differential diagnosis includes worsening Lung Ca, PE, COPD and CHF. Janie uses home O2 at 4 L/NC. V/S: T=98.7, HR=89, R=16, B/P=132/56, O2 sats=100% on 4L/NC, Pain=6/10. Labs: WBC=7.6, H&H=8.5/27, Na=141, Troponin=0.08/0.06, BNP=495, INR=4.2, UA=3+ protein, 1+ blood and 6-10 RBC. CXR: Impression:1). COPD with nonspecific coarsening of the basilar interstitium. 2). Mild cardiomegaly with borderline cardiac compensation. 3). Right