Esther Jackson is a 56-year-old black female who is 1-day post-op following a left radical mastectomy.
Esther Jackson is a 56-year-old black female who is 1-day post-op
following a left radical mastectomy. During morning rounds, the
off-going nurse shares with you during bedside report that the patient
has been experiencing increased discomfort in her back throughout the
night and has required frequent help with repositioning. She states that
the patient was medicated for pain approximately 2 hours ago but is
voicing little relief and states that you might want to mention that to
the doctor when he rounds later this morning. With the patient appearing
to be in no visible distress, you proceed on to the next patient’s room
for report.
Approximately 1 hour later, you return to Ms. Jackson’s room with her morning pills and find her slumped over the bedside stand in tears. The patient states, “I don’t know what is wrong, I don’t feel right. My back hurts and I’m just so tired. What is wrong with me?” The patient refuses to take her medications at this time stating that she is starting to feel sick to her stomach.
Just then the nursing assistant comes into the patient’s room to record Ms. Jackson’s vital signs, you take this opportunity to quickly research the patient’s medication record to determine if she has a medication ordered for nausea. Upon return, the nursing assistant hands you the following vital signs: T 37, R 18, and BP 132/54, but states she couldn’t get the patient’s pulse because “it is all over the place.”
Please address the following questions related to the scenario.
Approximately 1 hour later, you return to Ms. Jackson’s room with her morning pills and find her slumped over the bedside stand in tears. The patient states, “I don’t know what is wrong, I don’t feel right. My back hurts and I’m just so tired. What is wrong with me?” The patient refuses to take her medications at this time stating that she is starting to feel sick to her stomach.
Just then the nursing assistant comes into the patient’s room to record Ms. Jackson’s vital signs, you take this opportunity to quickly research the patient’s medication record to determine if she has a medication ordered for nausea. Upon return, the nursing assistant hands you the following vital signs: T 37, R 18, and BP 132/54, but states she couldn’t get the patient’s pulse because “it is all over the place.”
Please address the following questions related to the scenario.
- What do you suspect is the cause of the patient’s symptoms?
- Describe the course of action that you will take to confirm this suspicion and prevent further decline.
- What further assessments, lab values, and tests will likely be ordered for this patient and how often? If testing is to be completed more than once, please explain the rationale for doing so.
- While you are caring for this patient, how will you ensure that the needs of your other patients are being met?
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