Medical & Health // Case Study 1 and 2
CASE STUDY 1
The givens in this case study are Ms. A’s symptoms and laboratory test findings. The symptoms are shortness of breath, low energy and enthusiasm levels, light-heatedness at high altitudes, high heart and breathing rates, low blood pressure, chronic menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, and joint stiffness during summer months. Her laboratory test findings reveal 8 g/dl hemoglobin, 32% hermatocrit, 3.1 X 10/mm erythrocythe count, microcytic and hypochromic cells, and 1.5% reticulocyte. All other findings are of normal values
RBC smear showed microcytic and hypochromic cells. Ms. A is likely to be ill of iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron and Its Deficiency
Iron is an important content of many essential proteins and enzymes (Group, 2017: 1). The most important of these proteins is hemoglobin, which is about 70% of all the iron present in the body. Red blood cells use hemoglobin to take oxygen from the lungs to every cell in the body in order to stay alive and healthy (Nurse Buff, 2014:1). Other important proteins are myoglobin that does the same job as hemoglobin except that it is found in muscle tissue while hemoglobin is found in blood; and ferritin and transferrin that keep and bring iron to the muscles. It is hemoglobin, which gives the blood its red bright color (Group, 2017:1).
The hemoglobin levels of those who live in places with high altitude and among smokers are higher than in those who live in the lowlands and among non-smokers (Group, 2017:1). The rise in the level of hemoglobin is the body’s response to the lower supply of oxygen in high altitude. In contrast, the level is lower in many blood diseases, such as sickle-cell anemia and thalassemia (Group, 2017:1).
The normal range of hemogblin for a 26-year-old female like Ms. A is 11.5 – 15.5 g/dl but hers is only 8 g/dl. Lower Red blood cell or RBC counts indicate anemia (Nurse Buff, 2014:1; Curry, 2015: 1; Group, 2017:1). The condition may reduce the supply of oxygen in the body and cause symptoms. And when the RBC count is higher than normal, a condition called polycythemia may occur. Clots and blockage may result (Nurse Buff, 2014:1); Curry, 2015:1; Group, 2017:1).
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
This is a very common health problem associated with nutrition (Nurse Buff, 2014: 1). The World Health Organization reported that a huge 30% of the people in the world suffer from this condition. This occurs when the regular diet lacks sufficient iron or the body’s regular supply of iron is used up through normal waste elimination and much more through blood loss, such as heavy menstruation (Nurse Buff, 2014:1). Menorrhagia is one of Ms. A’s symptoms. The light-headedness she experienced when playing golf at a high-altitude at a mountain course and the low blood pressure diagnosis at the clinic are also symptoms of iron deficiency anemia (Nurse Buff, 2014:1).
Iron deficiency anemia may also develop because of stomach ulcers or other chronic conditions, which cause slow and similarly chronic bleeding (Nurse Buff, 2014:1). These conditions lead to a higher rate of blood loss. They include colon cancer, uterine cancer, intestinal polyps and hemorrhoids (Nurse Buff, 2014:1).
WORKS CITED
Curry, C. V. (2017 Jan 13). Erythrocyte count. Medscape: WebMD LLC. Retrieved on
August 16, 2017 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2054474-overview#a1
Group, E. (2017).What is iron? Understanding this essential nutrient. Global Health Center:
Globalhealthcenter.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2017 from https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-is-iron-understanding-essential-nutrient
Nurse Buff (2014 September 8). Laboratory V interpretation guide. Nurse Buff.com. Retrieved
on August 16, 2017 from https://www.nursebuff.com/laboratory-values-for-nurses/
CASE STUDY 2
Approach to Care
Mr. P is among the 10 out of 1,000 Americans aged 65 and over who develop congenital heart failure, according to the American Heart Association (TDMU, 2015:1). His cardiomyopathy, which refers to a disease of the heart muscle, may have developed from his congenital heart failure. Regardless of the cause, cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure by weakening it (TDMU, 2015:1). The appropriate approach to care may be a combination of pharmaceutical, nutritional, physical, mental and psychological measures. These may be medicines, corrective surgery of heart abnormalities or heart valves, heart transplantation in select cases, and lifestyle changes or adjustments in outlook and attitudes.
Treatment Plan
Primarily, Mr. P’s medicines should be taken regularly. His weight should be kept at proper levels through regular physical activity, which his doctor should first approve (TDMU. 2015:1; O’Brien, 2017:1). An exercise program may include walking, swimming, cycling and certain aerobic exercises. Most large hospitals offer appropriate rehabilitation programs for patients with his condition. His diet should be carefully prepared with a minimum of salt to reduce swelling of the abdomen and extremities. If salt substitutes are available, his doctor’s approval should be obtained for their use so that Mr/P. does not crave for saltiness. If he smokes or drinks, he should be encouraged to stop gradually. If he is taking drugs that may be harmful or contraindicated to his condition or the medicines he is taking, it should be stopped (O’Brien, 2017:1; TDMU, 2015:1).
His doctor may be asked to review and reduce his medicines, if possible, or modify them so that Mr. P..may not take too many of them and spend less (TDMU, 2015:1’; O’Brien, 2017:1). A counselor may also be invited to speak with him about a more positive outlook on sickness and life itself. The counselor may explain the importance of self-care so as to give Mr. P’s wife time for herself and her own social needs. If Mr. P has friends in the neighborhood or in his past jobs or businesses, they should be invited to visit and play indoor games with him or join him in his rehab program (TDMU, 2015:1; O’Brien, 2017:1).
Method of Educating the Patient and His Family
Testimonials are among the best methods of educating patients and their families. Survivors of serious illnesses like cardiomyopathy and congestive health failure are the most effective teachers or educators to patients like Mr. P. Mrs. P. or Mr. P’s doctor or neighbor may suggest a reading material or program that features these survivors and their testimonials. These survivors’ families may also give their separate testimonials to inspire Mrs. P.
Teaching Plan
Mr. P’s doctor or counselor may initiate this plan. It may consist of different approaches that address Mr. P’s – and Mrs. P’s – specific situation and issues. One is a strategy that will make it easier for Mr. P to remember taking his many medicines. Another is informing him about the danger of too much salt in his diet. A third part is on the value of exercise for his condition and overall health. A succeeding part is the advantage of avoiding harmful habits like smoking, drinking and prohibited drugs. And the last but equally important part is the formation of desirable moral and spiritual values like courage, patience and gratitude for blessings received in life.
WORKS CITED
O’Brien, T. (2017). Congestive heart failure. emedicinehealth: WebMD, Inc. Retrieved on August 17, 2017 from http://www.intranet.tdmu.edu.ua/data/kafedra/internal/policlin/classes_stud/en/med/lik/ptn/internal%20medicine%20in%20family%20medicine/6/03.%20congestive%20heart%20failure%20(chf)%20.htm
Rabelo, E. R. et al (2007). What to teach patients with heart failure and why: the role of nurses in heart failure clinics. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem: Scielo. Retrieved on August 18, 2007 from http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692007000100024
TDMU (2015). Congestive heart failure in medical practice. I.Ya.Horbachevsky Ternopil State
Medical University: Ternopil State Medical University. Retrieved on August 17, 2017 from
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/congestive_heart_failure/page4_em.htm
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