Question

Clara Burke is an 88 year old retired nurse who fell at home and comes to the ER with hip pain and confusion. She lives alone in a two story home. Her son lives out of state and she has only a grand daughter living in the next town.

In the ER blood work is drawn, an x-ray of her hip is completed, an EKG is ordered and an IV is started.

What lab work might be ordered and why?

A urine sample would be ordered to find out if the patient had a urinary tract infection

What other specimens should they get?

Why was an x-ray done?

To see if the hip is broken

Why was an EKG done?

Why did they start an IV?

What would be your first assessments be of this patient? List in order of priority

1.

2.

3.

Now finish this patient’s story…

What are her risks for infection?

What nursing care can you institute to minimize risks?

Answer 1

Question :-Why was an EKG done?

Answer :- An EKG was done to know the status of her cardiac functioning whether she have any arrhythmias etc because she had a suddent fall and her age is one of the risk factor to have cardiac problems

Question :-Why did they start an IV?

Answer :- IV Fluids are administered to patient to maintain the electrolytes if anything lacking as a part of emergency treatment and also to ease the giving of medicine through drip

Question :-What would be your first assessments be of this patient? List in order of priority

Answer :-

1. Assess the general condition with the pain score and GCS scale to know the neurological function

2.Physical examinations to assess for any other trauma rather than on the Hip

3. Monitor the vitals to rule out whether she does have anu fever , hyper or hypotension , and altered heart rate

Question :- What are her risks for infection

Here for the patient urine sample is taken to rule out infection and we are not clear whether she is having infection or not

RISK FACTORS INCLUDE

* increased age :- an increase in age is most prone to have infection because their immunity levels are being decreased

* gender :- female especially post menopausal can have more chance of cardiac illness and other diseases

* lack of proper food and self care as she is settled alone

* Her past occupational history of being a nurse is also a risk factor of developing any communicable disease

* lack of proper lifestyle maintained can even become a risk factor

Question :-What nursing care can you institute to minimize risks?

Answer :-

* assess the general condition of patient

* provide safe and comfortable position

* monitor the vitals

* administer medication as adviced by the doctor

* immobilize the hid region if any fracture

*educate and counsel the attendance

* educate her regarding need of family support in old age

* health education regarding healthy balanced diet and maintenance of cleanliness

* provide her psychological support as she was alone and may miss her relatives

* provide diversional therapy by giving news papaer