Nursing homework help
Nursing homework help. Case Study I
Case Studies
Each student will be assigned two of the case studies below. Your post should be approximately 250 words in length and contain substantive information that contributes to an understanding of the disorder under discussion. You may post graphics from online sources, but please do NOT simply cut and paste entire entries from the internet. You are expected to provide references for all the information cited.
Discussion Questions
- Relate history to the diagnosis. What risk factors are present, and how does each predispose to disease?
- Explain the cause of the disease in this patient.
- How could this disease have been prevented in this patient?
- Discuss the complications that might develop in this patient.
- Discuss the treatments available to the patient.
- What is the probable prognosis for this patient?
Case Study# 1: A 27-year-old male who works on a construction site visits his family physician three days after suffering a puncture wound from a nail gun in his foot. The site of the injury is painful, red, warm and swollen with evidence of pus. There are reddish streaks extending up his ankle and lower leg. His temperature is 101 °F.
Case Study# 2: Harold, a 61-year-old male smoker, suffers from chronic bronchitis, which was diagnosed two years ago. At that time, he was treated with antibiotics, told to stop smoking and given a prescription for albuterol. He attempted to give up smoking, but he says that, although he has cut back, he still smokes about half a pack a day. He has been faithful about seeing his doctor for follow-up visits every six months and has occasionally required antibiotic therapy when his bronchitis flairs up. On his most recent visit he reports that his dyspnea is getting worse, and he experiences wheezing whenever he does anything strenuous. His doctor notes a slight bluish tint to his lips and mucous membranes, as well as peripheral edema and some enlargement of the liver. He informs Harold that his chronic bronchitis is getting worse and he is beginning to experience symptoms of cor pulmonale.
Case Study#3: Crystal, a 32-year-old black woman visits her physician because she has noticed traces of blood in her urine. She reports that she has been increasingly tired at her job as a waitress, and for the past six months has experienced periodic stiffness and swelling in her hands, mild fevers, poor appetite and weight loss. She has also been bothered by a rash on her cheeks that gets worse whenever she is out in the sun for any length of time. Her physician orders lab tests which show small amounts of protein and red blood cells in the urine, and the presence of antinuclear antibodies. On the basis of these findings she is diagnosed with SLE.
Case Study#4: Jane, a 20-year-old female, tests positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). She has only been sexually active for a year, although no other likely means of transmission can be identified. At present she does not have any symptoms.
Case Study# 5: Linda, a 61-year-old woman discovers a lump in her breast. She visits her gynecologist who orders a biopsy, which reveals the presence of malignant cells. The woman is married, with one child who was born when she was 32. She reports that she breastfed her child for the first three months then switched to formula. She had her first period at the age of 14 and entered menopause at age 55. She smoked as a teenager but quit after a few years. She is about 40 pounds overweight and reports that she tends to eat fast food for lunch most weekdays. Her mother also had breast cancer. She has two younger sisters, but neither of them has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Case Study#6: Johnny, a six-year-old child, is brought to the emergency room by his parents. They report that about two weeks ago he had a severe sore throat and has never fully recovered. He complains of abdominal discomfort, and he is always tired. They have noticed that he has gained noticeable weight in the last few days, his abdomen and genitalia are swollen, and his urine is brownish. Blood pressure is 180/105, and blood tests show strep antibodies, hypoalbuminemia, and uremia. Urine tests reveal moderate proteinuria, hematuria and red cell casts. He is diagnosed with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Case Study#7: Mrs. L is a 63-year-old woman who reports constant back pain. Further inquiry into her medical history revealed that over the past 3 years, she has suffered fractures of her femur and wrist after minor falls. She experienced menopause at age 49. Mrs. L has a secretarial job, drives to work, and she “does not have time for exercise.” She reports that she consumes 8 to 10 cups of coffee a day and has been a smoker most of her adult life. She has not seen her physician recently nor had a recommended bone density test because of the time and cost involved.
Case Study#8: Mr. K. is a 57-year-old man who consulted his physician after noticing marked leg pains while playing golf. He had previously noticed increasing fatigue and discomfort in his legs associated with moderate exercise. When sitting for extended periods with legs dangling, his legs became red, and sometimes his feet felt numb. His history indicates he smokes cigarettes and is chronically overweight. His blood cholesterol and other lipid levels are abnormal, and his physician suspects peripheral atherosclerosis as the cause of his discomfort.