Question

On escorting your elderly (new) patient from the waiting room to the treatment bay at your Podiatry clinic, you notice that your patient has a loud wheeze. She also appears to be slightly cyanosed, agitated, tense and can only talk to you in phrases. On resting in the bay area the symptoms do not seem to be subsiding. Key point: Upon checking her notes you discover that she has a past history of sudden severe exacerbations and is currently taking B2 agonists via an inhaler (Salbutamol).

What would be the step by step management as a health medical professional that you would take? for example: walk up to the patient and see ask her a series of questions. if she is unable to answer, look into her medical records, when is it alright to go to her bag to get the inhaler and etc. Also how about following up and after care.

Any psychosocial aspect will be great to be included from a allied health professional or a health professional.

Answer 1

Management:

• Assess the general condition of the patient whether the patient is agitated , tension while providing the medication.
• Advice the patient to take the medication in such as salbutamol to take prequently when ever he is feeling respiratory discomfort.

Follow up care:

• Advice the patient to do coupping exercises asses at home.
• Advice them to take steam inhilation in home.
• Advice them to take the medication at correct time.
• Advice them to use inhilars if any blockage in the respiratory system.
• Advice them to drink hot water every day.
• Give the advice come back to hospital further treatment what the doctor has return in the record.

After care:

• If the patient is has undergone for any surgery the nurse and the family members need to take care about the patient.

Assisting in changing the dressing advice them to more water.

• Avoid them to consumption of alcohol and smoking.
• Advice them to not to come out in case of winter season. If any emergency they can come out with the maflers.

Psychological aspects:

• Provide the health education regarding the diseases condition.
• Providing family therapy and group therapy for the patient.
• Provide psychological support to the patient.