Question

Please provide the answers to the following case study. Be sure to use all your critical thinking regarding the respiratory system when doing this case study. This is the scenario: Bill McDonald, 65 years of age, is a male patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He is going to be discharged with home oxygen at 2 L/min per nasal cannula. According to Medicare guidelines, the patient falls into the group 1 patient category, the patient’s O2 saturation on room air was less than 88% and his PaO2 was less than 55 mm Hg, which was obtained from an arterial blood gas (ABG) at room air. The physician completed the script for the home oxygen therapy according to Medicare guidelines. The information that needed to be included on the script was the documented diagnosis, the prescribed liter flow, the frequency of use in hours per day, and the number of months in duration. The results of the pulse oximetry and the ABG were also included in the script to justify the need for the home oxygen therapy. The nurse needs to make arrangements with the social worker to obtain an agency to supply the oxygen equipment needed and to provide follow-up on a regular basis. The supplier makes arrangements to deliver an oxygen concentrator and portable tanks or concentrated oxygen and oxygen regulators, and needed supplies, including 50 feet of tubing, and nasal cannulas.

1. What home care considerations need to be made before the patient is discharged and what considerations need to be made once the patient arrives home?

Answer 1

Answer:- There are many home care considerations that need to be addressed before our patient can be discharged.
-These include having the company that will be supplying the oxygen tank and other equipment make arrangements with the patient and family to deliver and set up the home oxygen supplies and equipment before the patient is released.
- It is essential that the supplier communicates that this has been done to the nurse as well as the social worker managing the patient’s case.
- If the physician determines that home health nurse visits are required, then these arrangements will also need to be made before discharging the patient.
- It is important that the patient’s home is free of clutter and messes so there is room for the patient to have his equipment in the areas that he frequents, and also to reduce the risk of the 50 feet of tubing getting caught on things or tripping when he is using his nasal cannula. Once the patient is back at home.