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Past Health History

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1. Describe why past medical history information in a health history can be important when considering the patient’s current chief complaint. (5 points)

A patient’s past health history may provide insight into causes of current symptoms. It also cues the nurse to certain risk factors for disease. A past health history includes childhood and adult illnesses, chronic health problems and treatment, and previous surgeries or hospitalizations (Lippincott et al.,2014).

2. A 65-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital with acute shortness of breath. The patient has a respiratory rate of 28, is sitting forward to breathe, and appears anxious. According to the patient’s family, the shortness of breath has been increasing over the past …show more content…

It may be more appropriate to use them because Mr. Jones will have to change his dressings often (4hrs) and is at risk for skin integrity issues (Taylor, 2015).

4. You are asked to obtain a 12-lead EKG on a patient.

a. Describe why correct lead placement is important? (5 points)

A lead is a specific view of of the electrical activity of the heart. A 12-lead EKG can help diagnose arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and chamber enlargement, as well as myocardial ischemia,injury, or infarction. It can also suggest cardiac effects or electrolyte disturbances. Correct lead placement is important because errors in diagnosis can occur if electrodes are incorrectly placed (Lippincott et al.,2014).

b. Your patient is restless and complaining of feeling cold. What measures can you take to prepare your patient for the exam to ensure that you get a good reading? (5 points)

Give the patient a warm bath prior to applying leads to debride the skin surface of dead cells with soap and water
Connect the electrodes to the lead wires prior to placing them on the chest
Use light pressure while applying leads
Use hypoallergenic electrodes if necessary
Offer a warm blanket
Ask them to lay in a supine position while applying

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