COVID-19 Case Study

COVID-19 Case Study: Present Problem: John Taylor is a 68-year-old African-American male with a history of type II diabetes and hypertension who came to emergency department (ED) triage window because he felt crummy; complaining of a headache, runny nose, feeling weak, “achy all over” and hot to the touch and sweaty the past two days. When he woke up this morning, he was no longer hot but began to develop a persistent “nagging cough” that continued to worsen throughout the day. He has difficulty “catching his breath” when he gets up to go the bathroom. John is visibly anxious and asks, “Do I have that killer virus that I hear about on the news?” Personal/Social History: John lives in a large metropolitan area that has had over three thousand confirmed cases of COVID-19. He has been married to Maxine, his wife of 45 years and is retired police officer and active in his local church. 1. What data from the histories are RELEVANT and must be NOTICED as clinically significant by the nurse? RELEVANT Data from Present Problem:  Hot and sweaty for two days  Persistent, nagging cough  Difficulty “catching his breath” Clinical Significance:  Could be sign of fever possible symptom of COVID19  Dry cough is a common symptom of COVID-19  Shortness of breath was also common symptom of COVID19 RELEVANT Data from Social History:  Metropolitan. Area. With 300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Clinical Significance:  The possibility of coming into contact with an individual before the symptoms occurred for that individual are likely as well as coming into contact with an object that someone that had tested positive for COVID-19 is just as likely 2. What additional clarifying questions does the triage nurse need to ask John to determine if his cluster of physical symptoms are consistent with COVID-19?  Has your wife, or anyone in your household have similar symptoms to you, that presented before or maybe even after your symptoms presented?  Have you or your wife come into contact with anyone that you know has tested positive for COVID-19?  Have you or anyone you have come into contact with taken any international travel? (China, Italy, etc). where high rates of COVID-19 has presented?