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Pages:
3 pages/β‰ˆ825 words
Sources:
3 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Health, Medicine, Nursing
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 12.96
Topic:

The Health History and Medical Information for Mrs. J.

Essay Instructions:

Requires Lopeswrite
Assessment Description
It is necessary for an RN-BSN-prepared nurse to demonstrate an enhanced understanding of the pathophysiological processes of disease, the clinical manifestations and treatment protocols, and how they affect clients across the life span.
Evaluate the Health History and Medical Information for Mrs. J., presented below.
Based on this information, formulate a conclusion based on your evaluation, and complete the Critical Thinking Essay assignment, as instructed below.
Health History and Medical Information
Health History
Mrs. J. is a 63-year-old married woman who has a history of hypertension, chronic heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite requiring 2L of oxygen/nasal cannula at home during activity, she continues to smoke two packs of cigarettes a day and has done so for 40 years. Three days ago, she had sudden onset of flu-like symptoms including fever, productive cough, nausea, and malaise. Over the past 3 days, she has been unable to perform ADLs and has required assistance in walking short distances. She has not taken her antihypertensive medications or medications to control her heart failure for 3 days. Today, she has been admitted to the hospital ICU with acute decompensated heart failure and acute exacerbation of COPD.
Subjective Data
Is very anxious and asks whether she is going to die.
Denies pain but says she feels like she cannot get enough air.
Says her heart feels like it is "running away."
Reports that she is exhausted and cannot eat or drink by herself.
Objective Data
Height 175 cm; Weight 95.5kg.
Vital signs: T 37.6C, HR 118 and irregular, RR 34, BP 90/58.
Cardiovascular: Distant S1, S2, S3 present; PMI at sixth ICS and faint: all peripheral pulses are 1+; bilateral jugular vein distention; initial cardiac monitoring indicates a ventricular rate of 132 and atrial fibrillation.
Respiratory: Pulmonary crackles; decreased breath sounds right lower lobe; coughing frothy blood-tinged sputum; SpO2 82%.
Gastrointestinal: BS present: hepatomegaly 4cm below costal margin.
Intervention
The following medications administered through drug therapy control her symptoms:
IV furosemide (Lasix)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
IV morphine sulphate (Morphine)
Inhaled short-acting bronchodilator (ProAir HFA)
Inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent HFA)
Oxygen delivered at 2L/ NC
Critical Thinking Essay
In 750-1,000 words, critically evaluate Mrs. J.'s situation. Include the following:
Describe the clinical manifestations present in Mrs. J.
Discuss whether the nursing interventions at the time of her admissions were appropriate for Mrs. J. and explain the rationale for each of the medications listed.
Describe four cardiovascular conditions that may lead to heart failure and what can be done in the form of medical/nursing interventions to prevent the development of heart failure in each condition.
Taking into consideration the fact that most mature adults take at least six prescription medications, discuss four nursing interventions that can help prevent problems caused by multiple drug interactions in older patients. Provide a rationale for each of the interventions you recommend.
Provide a health promotion and restoration teaching plan for Mrs. J., including multidisciplinary resources for rehabilitation and any modifications that may be needed. Explain how the rehabilitation resources and modifications will assist the patients' transition to independence.
Describe a method for providing education for Mrs. J. regarding medications that need to be maintained to prevent future hospital admission. Provide rationale.
Outline COPD triggers that can increase exacerbation frequency, resulting in return visits. Considering Mrs. J.'s current and long-term tobacco use, discuss what options for smoking cessation should be offered.
You are required to cite to a minimum of two sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
The Health History and Medical Information for Mrs. J.
Clinical Manifestations
Mrs. J. presents clinical manifestations of acute decompensated heart failure and acute exacerbation of COPD. These include fever, arrhythmia, cardiac gallops, elevated jugular venous pressure, left ventricular enlargement, hypotension, atrial fibrillation, barely detectable pulse, and ventricular tachycardia. Other clinical manifestations include pulmonary crackles, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, decreased breathing sounds, low blood oxygen levels, and hepatomegaly.
Rationale for Medications Listed
The nursing interventions at the patient's admission were appropriate, particularly the medications administered through drug therapy to manage her symptoms. Furosemide is appropriate for treating fluid retention and swelling caused by congestive heart failure. The drug was essential to controlling the patient’s symptoms of pulmonary edema caused by congestive heart failure. Enalapril (Vasotec) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat congestive heart failure and hypertension. Lowering the patient's blood pressure was essential to increasing blood and oxygen supply to the heart.
Metropol (Lopressor) is also suitable for managing hypertension and chest pains caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. This medication was, therefore, also suitable for managing the patient's symptoms. Besides, IV morphine sulphate (Morphine) is suitable for reducing breathlessness, pain, and anxiety. Mrs. J. was anxious about dying and complained of pain and shortness of breath. Inhaled short-acting bronchodilator (ProAir HFA) is a suitable medication for patients with breathing difficulties as it relaxes the muscles around the airways allowing for easier breathing.
Similarly, an inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent HFA) was suitable for improving airway responsiveness and facilitating easier breathing. Oxygen delivered at 2L/NC was essential to reducing the patient's respiratory distress. The last three medications were critical to controlling the patient's low blood oxygen levels and other COPD symptoms. Overall, the medications given to Mrs. J constituted appropriate nursing intervention given her presenting symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure and acute exacerbation of COPD.
Cardiovascular Conditions That May Lead to Heart Failure
The four cardiovascular conditions leading to heart failure are coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy. In the case of coronary heart disease, the medical/nursing interventions that should be taken to prevent the development of heart failure include blood-thinning agents to reduce blood clotting, nitrates to relax the blood vessels, anti-cholesterol drugs to reduce deposits on the arterial walls, ranolazine to treat angina, and beta-blockers together with calcium channel blockers to reduce high blood pressure. In the case of high blood pressure, medical interventions include ACE inhibitors to reduce blood pressure and self-care through stress management, physical exercise, a low sodium diet, and quitting smoking.
As for arrhythmia, the medical interventions include anti-arrhythmic drugs, anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, heart rate control drugs, electr...
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