HSC 1531 FSCJ The Man With The Weak Arm Case Study Nursing Assignment Help

Instructions

Below is a case study presentation of a patient with a condition discussed in this chapter. Read the case study and answer the questions for Case Study 4: The Man with the Weak Arm. Some questions will ask for information not included within this chapter. Use your text, a medical dictionary, or any other reference material you choose to answer these questions.

Case Study Scenario

Albert, a 72-year-old African-American man, is brought into the emergency room by his daughter. Approximately 45 minutes before arriving, Albert dropped his book when his right arm and hand “fell asleep.” When he tried to rise, he noticed his right leg was weak, and he needed to hold onto the couch to stand up. In addition, he had difficulty talking because the right side of his face and mouth were “numb,” and his tongue felt “thick.”

In obtaining a medical and family history, it was noted that Albert had smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day for the last 40 years, and both of his parents died of strokes when they were in their mid-sixties. He has previously been diagnosed with both essential hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. He admits to “skipping” his antihypertensive medication because of the unpleasant side effects it causes. Albert notes that he has been experiencing short (5 – 10 minutes) incidences of weakness on his right side, but he attributed this to his position, causing his arm or leg to “fall asleep.” He has also noticed that he has mild headaches, but recently, these have been less frequent.

Physical examination indicated that Albert was alert and anxious, but his speech was slurred. He was afebrile, had a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute, a regular heart rate of 86 beats per minute, and a 190/120 mm Hg blood pressure. Albert had no irregular heart sounds and presented with slight bilateral edema of the ankles. Examination of the nervous system indicated intact tactile sensory function, decreased strength of the right extremities, a diminished gag reflex, diminished right deep tendon reflexes, and right facial droop.

Based on these symptoms, the emergency room physician suspected a thrombolytic stroke and immediately ordered a head CT scan and various blood tests. The physician also discussed the relative benefits and risks of various treatments and courses of action with Albert and his daughter. As a result, Albert was given aspirin for possible thrombosis and a beta-blocking antihypertensive, and his condition was closely monitored while awaiting the test results.

Results of the laboratory tests indicated hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. Normal blood clotting times and platelet numbers were indicated. In addition, the head CT was normal. However, despite the treatments initiated, Albert’s condition continued to deteriorate. While his blood pressure decreased to 170/84 mm Hg, his heart rate was elevated to 100 beats per minute and became irregular. In addition, he continued to demonstrate decreased sensation on his right side, slight dysarthria, and further decreases in strength in both right extremities. Based on these results, treatment with a plasminogen activator was initiated, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) was conducted. The results of the ECG indicated atrial flutter.

After 5 hours, Albert’s condition improved to the point that the hemiparesis and dysarthria were at baseline levels, and his blood pressure was stabilized at 156/70 mm Hg. Further treatments were then initiated to stabilize Albert’s atrial flutter and hypertension. He was given digoxin, which stabilized the atrial flutter and heart rate at 80 beats per minute, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor was prescribed for hypertension. An echocardiogram indicated bilateral stenosis of the carotid arteries. Antithrombotic therapy (325 mg aspirin/day) was also prescribed. Albert was encouraged to stop smoking and to modify his diet and was discharged.

The Man with the Weak Arm Case Study Questions

  1. Define the following terms. essential hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, afebrile, stroke, thrombosis, dysarthria, hemiparesis, stenosis
  2. What symptoms suggested that Albert was suffering a stroke?
  3. What risk factors did Albert present with which would support the symptoms observed?
  4. Why would Albert’s symptoms be localized only to the right side of his body?
  5. How can the type and location of symptoms be used to diagnose the location of a stroke or brain injury?
  6. Why would stenosis of the carotid arteries have an effect on blood flow to the brain?
  7. Why is aspirin prescribed as a treatment for Albert’s condition?

Share This Post

Email
WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Reddit

Order a Similar Paper and get 15% Discount on your First Order

Related Questions

Technology for Patient Safety in Saudi Arabia Paper Nursing Assignment Help

You are the manager of a busy hospital unit.  Your unit has been tasked with selecting and implementing upgraded technology on your hospital unit.  As the unit manger, address the following in your selection of technology and implementation plan: Examine the features of the new technology that are important in

WU Detail and Dynamic Complexity Discussion Nursing Assignment Help

Are you overwhelmed by complexity? If so, you are not alone. Peter Senge notes that people are now able to “create far more information that anyone can absorb,” and he continues to say that the “scale of complexity is without precedent” (2006, p. 69). This “detail” complexity can make managing

Pediatric Health & Medical Worksheet Nursing Assignment Help

Provider: i. Questions for HPI When did these symptoms begin? Is the child experience exercise intolerance? Any shortness of breath/signs of respiratory distress? History of genetic conditions? ii. Questions for ROS Poor feeding? Any newborn cardiac concerns? Previous cardiac history? Any pain, weakness, coldness to the extremities? Fluid retention? Cough

Health & Medical Capital Budgeting at Cleveland Clinic Nursing Assignment Help

Respond to each of the following prompts or questions: Using the information provided in the Los Reyes Hospital case study from Module Three, what capital expenditures may the selected departments need to budget? Considering the organization you selected, what is a capital expenditure that may be needed that would result

NVCC Service Implementation and Elements of Financial Nursing Assignment Help

Instructions: Part 1 1.Read Chapter 10, Capko. -Critique either Dr. Grainger’s or Mid-South Pulmomary Specialists efforts in developing  new services. -What lessons did you learn as related to new service development?   -List three main items which you must address before implementing a new service.  Instructions: Part 2 -The physicians

Healthcare is reimbursed in a variety of ways. The Nursing Assignment Help

Healthcare is reimbursed in a variety of ways. The prospective payment method is one of those ways. This paper will be about the prospective payment method where diagnosis-related groupings (DRGs) forms the basis for payment. Research and explain the origin, purpose, and description of DRGs. Include what payment is based on.

NUR 630 FIU Impact on Healthcare Systems and Public Health Nursing Assignment Help

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, or Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia In recent years, there have been reports linking autism to vaccinations. After studying Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, address the following in a well-written discussion post: Explain the controversy regarding vaccines as a possible cause of autism spectrum disorder. Does the