Medical Case Study
Florence (F) is a 43-year-old woman who is two days post-operative, following an appendectomy. She has a history of arthritis, and currently takes 10mg of prednisone daily. She is allergic to penicillin. She weighs 46 kg (101.5 lbs.) and is 168cm tall (5’6″). This puts her slightly underweight for her age and height, at least 18-25 pounds (Height and Weight Chart, 2010). While doing a route in dressing change, nurse notice a yellow discharge emanating from the wound.
Identify and discuss the importance of obtaining information during a nursing admission in relation to post- operative assessment. In modern healthcare, a nurse must first and foremost try to understand and utilize a systematic and synergistic model of data collection and assessment. Human beings are complex creatures, and the more data one has, the easier it will be to ensure that a proper diagnosis is made. A systematic assessment provides a framework which ensures that data gathering will be consistent; it individualizes nursing care, and maximizes the amount and quality of information that a nurse can obtain from a client within a short time. This is done by also understanding the differences between objective and subjective data. Subjective data, for instance, consists of the history obtained from the patient through an interview — the chief complaint, history of family illness, psycho-social history, normal daily activities and a complete overview of the major bodily systems. The data is subjective because it comes from the patient who may, or may not, be able to accurately identify issues from an objective viewpoint. This is the most important part of the data base about a patient — for research shows that over 80% of all diagnoses may be accurately made by obtaining a complete and robust history. Once this data is collected, the patient’s symptoms are cataloged and objective (e.g. medical measurements and tests are performed to confirm the patient’s complaints) (Viljoen, 2007).
Q2. Identify and discuss the nurse’s role in consent procedures for patients undergoing a procedure involving general anesthesia. Most medical institutions require a patient or their legal guardian signing a general consent form upon admission. This authorizes general treatment that the physician deems necessary. Different states, however, require informed consent forms to be signed based on different procedures and different risk factors. Without these informed consent forms, the hospital and attending physician are actually at risk. Actually, informed consent is a process, not just a few pieces of paper. Because general anesthesia carries risks, it usually falls to the nurse to inform the patient that there might be a potential for unfavorable reactions to any medication or anesthetic agent that may be given during any surgical procedure. The nurse is usually more communicative in detailing the risks without causing the patient undue worry or stress. Plus, if the surgeon needs to perform a procedure not specifically specified on the consent form, the nurse also has the responsibility to inform all stakeholders (including the doctor and/or surgeon) that there is a discrepancy. Prior consent is necessary to protect all sides, since there are risks in any procedure. The nurse, acting as the patient advocate, is best equipped to give the right amount of medical information in a way that makes sense to the patient and their family (Phillips, et.al., 2007).
Q3. Identify and discuss the purpose of vital sign data in the pre and post-operative period. – Identifying health problems is the second phase in evaluating person centered care. By critically examining the initial interview the nurse can find information on the person’s health resources (strengths and weaknesses), risk factors, current health problems, potential problems and complications. In addition, a collaborative means of identifying actual and potential health problems is easiest done by answering at least most of the following questions: What did the person say in their interview? What did the family or significant other say? What did you observe about the client? What did you find while performing a physical examination? What did you read in the previous medical history? What was said in team meetings/handovers, or gleaned from other colleagues? In this manner, the assessment is more accurate because there are numerous points-of-view used to establish a better health picture of the individual (Potter and Perry, 2007).
Q4. Define and identify the purpose of wound assessment — Wounds are disruptions of normal anatomical structures and function. Wound assessment is the technique necessary to provide care plans, treatment, and ongoing medical management for that patient. Accurate wound assessment is not simply reviewing the wound, but assessing the total patient — comorbid conditions, lifestyle, and events that may have contributed to the wound. One way to think of wound assessment plan is to use the “9 C’s” approach:
Cause of the wound — to be accurate, the healthcare provider must know the cause of the wound in order to provide appropriate intervention.
Clear picture of the wound — size, shape, severity, pain, color/type, full characteristics of just the wound.
Comprehensive Picture of the Patient — complete evaluation of patient and conditions, in this case, recent surgery, being underweight, medications.
Contributing factors – pharmacological, substance, work risks, home risks, etc.
Communication with other healthcare providers — Physician and/or consult if necessary and depending on severity.
Continuity of care — care plan and education of patient on aspects of care.
Centralized location for wound care info — where can information be found for patient, where are records kept — review and elaborate.
Components of the wound care plan — what is the specific wound care plan for this instance; dressing, medication, dryness, etc. — how can this be accomplished and who is responsible.
Complications of the wound — What is the plan if the wound grows, does not heal, or becomes more infected? What procedures should the patient follow, and what are some of the specific warning signs? (Dealey, 2005).
Q5. Identify and discuss four nursing priorities undertaken when assessing Florence’s wound and support your discussion with evidenced-based rationales. In modern healthcare, a nurse must first and foremost try to understand and utilize a systematic and synergistic model of data collection and assessment. Human beings are complex creatures, and the more data one has, the easier it will be to ensure that a proper diagnosis is made. A systematic assessment provides a framework which ensures that data gathering will be consistent; it individualizes nursing care, and maximizes the amount and quality of information that a nurse can obtain from a client within a short time. This is done by also understanding the differences between objective and subjective data. Subjective data, for instance, consists of the history obtained from the patient through an interview — the chief complaint, history of family illness, psycho-social history, normal daily activities and a complete overview of the major bodily systems. The data is subjective because it comes from the patient who may, or may not, be able to accurately identify issues from an objective viewpoint. This is the most important part of the data base about a patient — for research shows that over 80% of all diagnoses may be accurately made by obtaining a complete and robust history. Once this data is collected, the patient’s symptoms are cataloged and objective (e.g. medical measurements and tests are performed to confirm the patient’s complaints) (Viljoen, 2007).
The four steps within wound care, once vitals and all other information are collected, are:
Assess/monitor/evaluate / observe — This is the beginning stage in which the diagnosis is made based on the data presented — is it impaired skin integrity? What is the evidence, what do we find (discharge) and what are the possibilities?
Care/perform/provide / assist — Minimize the exposure of the skin to excess moisture; use careful sterile techniques; encourage more protein consumption to improve healing, consult with physician regarding antibiotic or other pharmaceutical procedures.
Teach/educate / instruct / supervise — Teach the patient how to assess and monitor the wound for infections and/or complications. Inform the patient why a specific treatment has been selected.
Manage / refer / contact, and notify — Manage the wound as appropriate, obtain consult if necessary, put together an individual plan for the patient using the best medical care available (Myers, 2011).
Q6. Define and identify the purpose of aseptic technique in wound management. Aseptic technique is a generalized medical term that involves practices that minimize the introduction of microorganisms to patient during patient care — in other words, how to best prevent infection. There are two categories of this: general asepsis that applies to patient care outside the operating room and surgical asepsis relating to procedures preventing infection at surgical sites. While the operating room already has a high degree of procedures, treating wounds in a clinical setting requires that the nurse adhere to as many principles as possible.
Hand washing, before and after contact with the patient and after removal of gloves. Also encourage patients to wash their hand.
When treating a wound, use a long-acting, antimicrobial soap for a longer period of time; minimize contact with faucets, etc.
Use sterile surgical clothing whenever possible, including mask when getting close to wounds.
Ensure sterility of all equipment; open packages of needed materials as close as possible to time needed.
Nonsterile items should not cross or come in contact with sterile items.
Minimize talking, laughing, coughing across sterile field.
When pouring fluids, only the lip and inner cap is considered sterile. Do not tough the receiving container.
When in doubt, discard material; If personnel has a cold or infection, avoid working or apply a double mask (Hauswirth, 2001).
Q7. Identify and discuss four nursing priorities undertaken in relation to aseptic technique within the context of dressing Florence’s wound and support your discussion with evidenced-based rationales. Based on the discussion above, we can identify at least four priorities when dealing with F’s wound:
1. Appropriate use of clothing: Gowning and masking when examining and treating the wound prevents a host of foreign pathogens from getting near the wound. In addition, blocking the wound with sterile sheets on all sides will have a positive effect.
2. Prepare for the analysis and treating of the wound with a thorough antiseptic washing of hands and then use of surgical gloves. During exam, face mask worn and minimizing coughing, etc.
3. Clean wound with freshly opened antiseptic and freshly opened cotton or pad materials.
4. Ensure that F’s hands and body parts near the wound are also as clean as possible prior to the examination and/or treatment.
Q8. Describe two causative factors of wound breakdown. For F, we have a potentially compromised immune system because of surgery; an underweight patient who may not be getting enough protein to heal properly, prednisone also has been shown to cause an increased risk of infections and slowing of wound healing (Prednisone and other corticosteroids, 2011). For patient, it is most likely that the wound was caused by an infection based on her lowered immune response in conjunction with inability to provide appropriate nutrients for healing and pharmacological reactions.
REFERENCES
Height and Weight Chart. (2010). HealthCheck Systems. Retrieved from:
http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm
Prednisone and Other Corticosteroids: Balance the Risks and Benefits. (2011). The Mayo
Clinic. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/steroids/HQ01431
Deaketm C, (2005). The Care of Wounds: A Guide for Nurses. Malden, MA: Blackwell
Publishing Company.
Hauswirth, K. (2001). Aseptic Technique — Encyclopedia of Nursing & Allied Health. E
-Notes. Retrieved from: http://www.enotes.com/nursing-encyclopedia/aseptic-technique
Myers, B. (2011). Wound Management. Old Tappan, NJ: Pearson.
Phillips, N., et.al. (2007). Berry & Knohn’s Operating Room Technique, 11th ed. Maryland
Heights, MO: Elsevier Publications.
Potter, P. And Perry, A. (2007). Basic Nursing: Essentials for Practice. Waltham, MA:
Elsevier.
Viljoen, M.K. (2007). Nursing Assessment: History-Taking and the Physical
Examination. Cape Town: Pearson.
Get Professional Assignment Help Cheaply
Are you busy and do not have time to handle your assignment? Are you scared that your paper will not make the grade? Do you have responsibilities that may hinder you from turning in your assignment on time? Are you tired and can barely handle your assignment? Are your grades inconsistent?
Whichever your reason is, it is valid! You can get professional academic help from our service at affordable rates. We have a team of professional academic writers who can handle all your assignments.
Why Choose Our Academic Writing Service?
- Plagiarism free papers
- Timely delivery
- Any deadline
- Skilled, Experienced Native English Writers
- Subject-relevant academic writer
- Adherence to paper instructions
- Ability to tackle bulk assignments
- Reasonable prices
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Get superb grades consistently
Online Academic Help With Different Subjects
Literature
Students barely have time to read. We got you! Have your literature essay or book review written without having the hassle of reading the book. You can get your literature paper custom-written for you by our literature specialists.
Finance
Do you struggle with finance? No need to torture yourself if finance is not your cup of tea. You can order your finance paper from our academic writing service and get 100% original work from competent finance experts.
Computer science
Computer science is a tough subject. Fortunately, our computer science experts are up to the match. No need to stress and have sleepless nights. Our academic writers will tackle all your computer science assignments and deliver them on time. Let us handle all your python, java, ruby, JavaScript, php , C+ assignments!
Psychology
While psychology may be an interesting subject, you may lack sufficient time to handle your assignments. Don’t despair; by using our academic writing service, you can be assured of perfect grades. Moreover, your grades will be consistent.
Engineering
Engineering is quite a demanding subject. Students face a lot of pressure and barely have enough time to do what they love to do. Our academic writing service got you covered! Our engineering specialists follow the paper instructions and ensure timely delivery of the paper.
Nursing
In the nursing course, you may have difficulties with literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, critical essays, and other assignments. Our nursing assignment writers will offer you professional nursing paper help at low prices.
Sociology
Truth be told, sociology papers can be quite exhausting. Our academic writing service relieves you of fatigue, pressure, and stress. You can relax and have peace of mind as our academic writers handle your sociology assignment.
Business
We take pride in having some of the best business writers in the industry. Our business writers have a lot of experience in the field. They are reliable, and you can be assured of a high-grade paper. They are able to handle business papers of any subject, length, deadline, and difficulty!
Statistics
We boast of having some of the most experienced statistics experts in the industry. Our statistics experts have diverse skills, expertise, and knowledge to handle any kind of assignment. They have access to all kinds of software to get your assignment done.
Law
Writing a law essay may prove to be an insurmountable obstacle, especially when you need to know the peculiarities of the legislative framework. Take advantage of our top-notch law specialists and get superb grades and 100% satisfaction.
What discipline/subjects do you deal in?
We have highlighted some of the most popular subjects we handle above. Those are just a tip of the iceberg. We deal in all academic disciplines since our writers are as diverse. They have been drawn from across all disciplines, and orders are assigned to those writers believed to be the best in the field. In a nutshell, there is no task we cannot handle; all you need to do is place your order with us. As long as your instructions are clear, just trust we shall deliver irrespective of the discipline.
Are your writers competent enough to handle my paper?
Our essay writers are graduates with bachelor's, masters, Ph.D., and doctorate degrees in various subjects. The minimum requirement to be an essay writer with our essay writing service is to have a college degree. All our academic writers have a minimum of two years of academic writing. We have a stringent recruitment process to ensure that we get only the most competent essay writers in the industry. We also ensure that the writers are handsomely compensated for their value. The majority of our writers are native English speakers. As such, the fluency of language and grammar is impeccable.
What if I don’t like the paper?
There is a very low likelihood that you won’t like the paper.
Reasons being:
- When assigning your order, we match the paper’s discipline with the writer’s field/specialization. Since all our writers are graduates, we match the paper’s subject with the field the writer studied. For instance, if it’s a nursing paper, only a nursing graduate and writer will handle it. Furthermore, all our writers have academic writing experience and top-notch research skills.
- We have a quality assurance that reviews the paper before it gets to you. As such, we ensure that you get a paper that meets the required standard and will most definitely make the grade.
In the event that you don’t like your paper:
- The writer will revise the paper up to your pleasing. You have unlimited revisions. You simply need to highlight what specifically you don’t like about the paper, and the writer will make the amendments. The paper will be revised until you are satisfied. Revisions are free of charge
- We will have a different writer write the paper from scratch.
- Last resort, if the above does not work, we will refund your money.
Will the professor find out I didn’t write the paper myself?
Not at all. All papers are written from scratch. There is no way your tutor or instructor will realize that you did not write the paper yourself. In fact, we recommend using our assignment help services for consistent results.
What if the paper is plagiarized?
We check all papers for plagiarism before we submit them. We use powerful plagiarism checking software such as SafeAssign, LopesWrite, and Turnitin. We also upload the plagiarism report so that you can review it. We understand that plagiarism is academic suicide. We would not take the risk of submitting plagiarized work and jeopardize your academic journey. Furthermore, we do not sell or use prewritten papers, and each paper is written from scratch.
When will I get my paper?
You determine when you get the paper by setting the deadline when placing the order. All papers are delivered within the deadline. We are well aware that we operate in a time-sensitive industry. As such, we have laid out strategies to ensure that the client receives the paper on time and they never miss the deadline. We understand that papers that are submitted late have some points deducted. We do not want you to miss any points due to late submission. We work on beating deadlines by huge margins in order to ensure that you have ample time to review the paper before you submit it.
Will anyone find out that I used your services?
We have a privacy and confidentiality policy that guides our work. We NEVER share any customer information with third parties. Noone will ever know that you used our assignment help services. It’s only between you and us. We are bound by our policies to protect the customer’s identity and information. All your information, such as your names, phone number, email, order information, and so on, are protected. We have robust security systems that ensure that your data is protected. Hacking our systems is close to impossible, and it has never happened.
How our Assignment Help Service Works
1. Place an order
You fill all the paper instructions in the order form. Make sure you include all the helpful materials so that our academic writers can deliver the perfect paper. It will also help to eliminate unnecessary revisions.
2. Pay for the order
Proceed to pay for the paper so that it can be assigned to one of our expert academic writers. The paper subject is matched with the writer’s area of specialization.
3. Track the progress
You communicate with the writer and know about the progress of the paper. The client can ask the writer for drafts of the paper. The client can upload extra material and include additional instructions from the lecturer. Receive a paper.
4. Download the paper
The paper is sent to your email and uploaded to your personal account. You also get a plagiarism report attached to your paper.
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET A PERFECT SCORE!!!
