Gena Stockland
Nursing 109, Case Study 2
October 4, 2017
During an annual physical examination, Henry Oats, a 59-year-old hospital administrator, was diagnosed as having an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Abdominal CT angiography confirmed the diagnosis. The CT showed an abdominal aortic aneurysm greater than 10cm in diameter and he was scheduled for an open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Mr. Oats has arrived to the hospital for his scheduled surgery.
Mr. Oats is upset by his diagnosis stating that he does not have time to be admitted right now and is only doing this because his physician insisted. As the nurse enters the room to admit Mr. Oats, he is sitting on the edge of the bed talking on the phone, giving multiple instructions to his secretary. His admission findings include:
TPR - 37 C P 98 R 20 BP 190/106
He has no complaints of pain or discomfort. He is mentally alert and seems impatient and irritable. He is upset that he had to be hospitalized since he feels fine and is worried about the forthcoming hospital accreditation survey.
A pulsating mass in the abdomen can be visualized and palpated when he is supine. There is a faint palpable dorsalis pedis in the left foot. The dorsalis pedis is absent to palpation and doppler on the right. The right foot is cooler than the left but both have normal color.
1. What is the rationale for the surgeon insisting that the procedure be done so quickly after the diagnosis? (5%)
Arterial walls cannot
Abdomen: Obtuse with minimal bowel sounds, slightly distended. There is RLQ (right lower quadrant) tenderness with guarding and with pinpoint rebound. Positive McBurney and obturator signs with a negative psoas sign.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Vital Signs. TEMPERATURE: 101.0, Blood Pressure- 127/179, Heart Rate-129, Respirations- 185, Weight-215. Situations 96% on room air. Pain Scale- 8/10. HEENT-Normal cephalic, atrumatic pupils equally round and reactive to light. Extra ocular motions intact. ORAL: Shows oral pharynx clear but slightly dry mucosal membranes. TMS: Clear. NECK: Supple, No thrangegally or JVD. No cervical, subclavicular, axilarry or lingual lymphinalpathy.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Vital signs are WNL. Apparently he has had no chills, night sweats, or favors. Generalized malaise and a lack of energy have been the main concerns. HEART: Regular rate and rhythm with S1 and S2. No S3 or S4 is heard at this time. LUNGS: Bilateral rhonchi. No significant amphoric sounds are noted. ABDOMON: Soft nontender. No hepatosplenomegaly or masses are detected. RECTAL EXAM: Prostate smooth and firm. No stool is present for hemoccult test.
The aim of this study is to provide a detailed account of the nursing care for a patient who is experiencing a breakdown in health. One aspect of their care will be discussed in relation to the nursing process. The model used to provide an individualised programme of care will be discussed and critically analysed.
1. The nurse is asked to implement a new, complex, and invasive procedure and is concerned that this may violate the state’s nurse practice act.
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.
hypotensive with a blood pressure of 82/44 mm Hg. His respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min
Review of the medical record indicates that he had a MVA in 1977 with C4-5 injury that resulted in him been a Quadriplegic. Due to his bedbound and immobility status he has had multiple pressure ulcers over the years that have resulted in hospital admission and rehab stays. Other medical history include, HTN, hyperlipidemia, Sacral pressure ulcer, Right hip pressure ulcer, Constipation, depression. Bilateral arm contractures, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, urostomy and colostomy, aspiration pneumonia, neuropathy and MRSA.
States that it started 3 days back and uses oxygen at home. States that he is a former smoker and laying on his back feels better. Also says he has a list of medication, more than 20. Pt has a history of COPD, CHF, DM,morbid obesity, HTN, HLM, hypothyroid, and sleep apnea. Has no accessory muscle use. CC is shortness of breath. Assessment is that there is no deformities or trauma of the head or neck area. Chest shows no signs of deformities or trauma. The abdominal area is tender and warm to the touch. Pelvis and back was not assessed. The upper and lower extremities show signs of low circulation and swelling. PMS=4. I helped with placing the BP cuff on the left arm and attaching it to the monitor. First vitals were recorded. O2 was given by the Nurse and then Albuterol by nebulizer. After 30 minutes, I assisted the Nurse and other hospital workers in moving the PT to a bigger bed. Second set of vitals were recorded. After becoming stable the Pt was moved up to the floor.
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
CHIEF COMPLAINT: This is a post op note from a procedure performed July 21, 2015 by David Lin, MD.
The Indiana State Board of Nursing is a body of nine selected members, comprised of a mixture of RNs and LPNs. This board listens to cases regarding university nursing programs, certified RNs fighting for their license, and individuals who are trying to obtain a nursing license. It is up to their discretion whether certain actions of a nurse are permissible or not. They also make adjustments to the curriculums or higher education schools to ensure that they are producing good quality nurses.
“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.”
My new role as an adult/gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP), will be part of team that provides care for Long-term acute care LTAC, Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), or Rehabilitation hospital. After gaining considerable experience, my focus in future will be working in home healthcare and primary care clinics. My scenario will involve an organization that provides innovative, collaborative, health care team for one hundred bed LTAC Hospital. Working as an LTAC registered nurse, I noted that, despite the variety of diagnosis, majority of patients’ presents to LTAC hospital have wounds that require complex wound care management. The wounds can range from pressure ulcers to non-healing illness/injury wounds such as diabetic foot ulcer, venous leg ulcers, and post-surgical wounds among others. For this assignment, my scenario will focus on the role of Nurse Practitioner (NP) on skin care and wound managements.
An AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) is defined as enlargement of at least 3 cm of the abdominal aorta. The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms begins below the renal arteries and ends above the iliac arteries. The exact cause of (AAAs) is unknown. However, it is thought to be due to a degenerative process of the abdominal aorta caused by atherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis represents a response to vessel wall injury caused by inflammation, genetically regulated defects in collagen and fibrillin, increased protease activity within the arterial wall, and mechanical factors (Stoelting p. 143).