Question

A 45-year-old woman presents with a chief complaint of 3-day duration of shortness of breath, cough with thick green sputum production, and fevers. Patient has history of COPD with chronic cough but states the cough has gotten much worse and is interfering with her sleep. Sputum is thicker and harder for her to expectorate. CXR reveals flattened diaphragm and increased AP diameter. Auscultation demonstrates hyper resonance and coarse rales and rhonchi throughout all lung fields.

In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following The cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary pathophysiologic processes that result in the patient presenting these symptoms. Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning. How these processes interact to affect the patient.

Answer 1

Answer: The cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary pathophysiologic processes that result in the patient presenting these symptoms as the respiratory disease such as COPD causes impairment of the gas exchange. This occurs due to extreme damage to the alveolar tissues present in the lungs. The chronic inflammation of the lungs leads to partial or complete blockage which causes a barrier in air flow. Hence this increases the air exchange in the lungs. The insufficient supply of oxygen to the lungs directly have impact on the cardiac muscles. The cardiac muscles work hard to pump the blood hence weakens the cardiac muscles. This also causes imbalance in the blood viscosity, salt and water retention. Further it also causes kidney impairment. Hence these pathophysiology causes these symptoms to occurs such as chest pain, inability to breathe etc.

The racial and ethical variables that may impact physiological functioning as this increases the chances of lack of awareness and knowledge regarding the health care. The other reason could be unhealthy lifestyle. Sometimes there racial discrimination in the society, healthcare facilities also leads to increase pressure on the brain, causes stress and other diseases.

The difference in the ethical and racial beliefs would impact on the patient's health. As sometimes discrimination leads to increased mental illness, poor sleeping pattern etc. While sometimes the traditional patterns or beliefs of patients also lead to influence the medication, treatment, food intake and health.

By providing cultural competence environment to the patient, the health disparities can be reduce and the quality of care provided to the patients may enhance.