Kayloni Mooney
Medical Case 2: Jennifer Hoffman
Guided Reflection Questions
1. How did the scenario make you feel?
The scenario made me feel confident and efficient because of the background knowledge I have
on asthma. Once I entered the scenario I immediately noticed that Hoffman was in distress. For
example, her skin appeared to be cyanosis which is a symptom of poor circulation and her o2 stat
was 65 %, very low. Further, when I asked my patient to tell me more about her symptoms she
answered, “I can’t breathe”. Being an individual with asthma I know how it feels to struggle
breathing; thus, this made me feel empathy for my patient. Furthermore, it is in my nature to
want to relieve my patient so once I administer the medication and her O2 stat became stable it
made me feel like a competent nurse.
2. What assessment findings would indicate that the patient’s condition is worsening?
m
er as
Cyanosis is an indicator that the condition is worsening. This is a bluish coloring of the skin and
co
eH w
a symptom of severe shortness of breath. Wheezing is also a common indicator that the asthma is
getting worse. Further, if the patient is wheezing upon inspiration and expiration this can be
o.
worse. If the patient has a cough that has not gone away or has gotten worse this can indicate the
rs e
condition is getting worse. The patient has communicated that their chest is tightening. Also, a
ou urc
rapid heartbeat can be an indication of asthma severity. Thus, if interventions are not started it
can lead to cardiac arrest. Also, a more obvious indication would be the patient’s inability to talk.
o
3. When a patient develops a rapid onset of shortness of breath, what are the nurse’s immediate
aC s
priorities?
vi y re
The nurse’s immediate priorities for the patient that develops rapid onset of shortness of breath
would be to assure that the patient is sitting upright. Sitting the patient up to assure that the lungs
have space to expand. Then, the nurse should auscultate the lungs and obtain a set of vital signs
ed d
specifically an o2 stat, respiration rate, and pulse. Also, the nurse should check the patients order
ar stu
to see if the patient’s primary provider order includes asthma medication such as albuterol and/or
oxygen. If so, the nurse should administer the medication and then assess the patient after the
treatment. Also, it is an immediate priority of the nurse to contact the physician if the symptoms
is
persist after treatment.
Th
4. Review Jennifer Hoffman’s laboratory results. Identify which results are abnormal, and
discuss how this relates to her clinical presentation and the disease process.
sh
Hoffman’s abnormal result included an o2 stat of 65%, which was well below the normal range
95-100%. In other words, Hoffman was receiving 65% of oxygen. Also, the EKG showed that
the patient was experiencing tachycardia which mean the heart was beating faster than normal.
This can be a result from patients distress of struggling to breath also the lungs are using an
excessive amount of energy causing the heart to work hard and beat faster. Also, the patient has
an increased heart rate which was higher than the average range of 60- 100. These are all
© Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
This study source was downloaded by 100000796901680 from CourseHero.com on 03-31-2021 17:04:44 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/31124167/Hoffman-vsim-1-docx/
Medical Case 2: Jennifer Hoffman
Guided Reflection Questions
1. How did the scenario make you feel?
The scenario made me feel confident and efficient because of the background knowledge I have
on asthma. Once I entered the scenario I immediately noticed that Hoffman was in distress. For
example, her skin appeared to be cyanosis which is a symptom of poor circulation and her o2 stat
was 65 %, very low. Further, when I asked my patient to tell me more about her symptoms she
answered, “I can’t breathe”. Being an individual with asthma I know how it feels to struggle
breathing; thus, this made me feel empathy for my patient. Furthermore, it is in my nature to
want to relieve my patient so once I administer the medication and her O2 stat became stable it
made me feel like a competent nurse.
2. What assessment findings would indicate that the patient’s condition is worsening?
m
er as
Cyanosis is an indicator that the condition is worsening. This is a bluish coloring of the skin and
co
eH w
a symptom of severe shortness of breath. Wheezing is also a common indicator that the asthma is
getting worse. Further, if the patient is wheezing upon inspiration and expiration this can be
o.
worse. If the patient has a cough that has not gone away or has gotten worse this can indicate the
rs e
condition is getting worse. The patient has communicated that their chest is tightening. Also, a
ou urc
rapid heartbeat can be an indication of asthma severity. Thus, if interventions are not started it
can lead to cardiac arrest. Also, a more obvious indication would be the patient’s inability to talk.
o
3. When a patient develops a rapid onset of shortness of breath, what are the nurse’s immediate
aC s
priorities?
vi y re
The nurse’s immediate priorities for the patient that develops rapid onset of shortness of breath
would be to assure that the patient is sitting upright. Sitting the patient up to assure that the lungs
have space to expand. Then, the nurse should auscultate the lungs and obtain a set of vital signs
ed d
specifically an o2 stat, respiration rate, and pulse. Also, the nurse should check the patients order
ar stu
to see if the patient’s primary provider order includes asthma medication such as albuterol and/or
oxygen. If so, the nurse should administer the medication and then assess the patient after the
treatment. Also, it is an immediate priority of the nurse to contact the physician if the symptoms
is
persist after treatment.
Th
4. Review Jennifer Hoffman’s laboratory results. Identify which results are abnormal, and
discuss how this relates to her clinical presentation and the disease process.
sh
Hoffman’s abnormal result included an o2 stat of 65%, which was well below the normal range
95-100%. In other words, Hoffman was receiving 65% of oxygen. Also, the EKG showed that
the patient was experiencing tachycardia which mean the heart was beating faster than normal.
This can be a result from patients distress of struggling to breath also the lungs are using an
excessive amount of energy causing the heart to work hard and beat faster. Also, the patient has
an increased heart rate which was higher than the average range of 60- 100. These are all
© Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
This study source was downloaded by 100000796901680 from CourseHero.com on 03-31-2021 17:04:44 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/31124167/Hoffman-vsim-1-docx/
