Medical Case 2: Jennifer Hoffman
Guided Reflection Questions
1. How did the scenario make you feel?
I felt confident that if treated promptly and correctly Miss Hoffman would have a good
outcome. Also, I knew if her treatment was not done correctly or if it was delayed this
would be detrimental or even deadly to Miss Hoffman.
2. What assessment findings would indicate that the patient’s condition is worsening?
Miss Hoffman’s vitals signs and presentation scream that her condition is worsening. Her
anxiousness, falling SP02, tachycardia, tachypnea, and audible wheezes indicate that
immediate treatment is imperative for her survival.
3. When a patient develops a rapid onset of shortness of breath, what are the nurse’s
immediate priorities?
The immediate priority is to facilitate oxygenation by sitting the patient up. Next a
respiratory assessment must be performed to assess the condition of the patient, this
might also reveal the cause of the shortness of breath. In Miss Hoffman’s case after the
respiratory assessment was performed it is obvious that the nurse should administer the
standing order nebulizer treatment, and the IV steroid to resolve her constricted
airways. After performing standing orders the nurse should immediately advise the
physician of the patient’s condition and await further orders.
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.
There were no laboratory values for Miss Hoffman however, I would expect to see
respiratory acidosis if she had labs drawn.
5. What communication techniques are important for an extremely anxious patient who
is having difficulty breathing?
It is extremely important to remain calm and communicate with the patient while
working quickly to treat Miss Hoffman. It may be necessary to coach the patient to deep
breath while the nebulizer treatment is running this way the medication gets into the
lungs and opens her constricted airways. Remaining calm and reassuring Miss Hoffman
will be very important during her treatment.
© Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
This study source was downloaded by 100000838401522 from CourseHero.com on 04-28-2022 05:10:44 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/43046402/Medical-Case-2-Jennifer-Hoffman-reflectiondocx/
Guided Reflection Questions
1. How did the scenario make you feel?
I felt confident that if treated promptly and correctly Miss Hoffman would have a good
outcome. Also, I knew if her treatment was not done correctly or if it was delayed this
would be detrimental or even deadly to Miss Hoffman.
2. What assessment findings would indicate that the patient’s condition is worsening?
Miss Hoffman’s vitals signs and presentation scream that her condition is worsening. Her
anxiousness, falling SP02, tachycardia, tachypnea, and audible wheezes indicate that
immediate treatment is imperative for her survival.
3. When a patient develops a rapid onset of shortness of breath, what are the nurse’s
immediate priorities?
The immediate priority is to facilitate oxygenation by sitting the patient up. Next a
respiratory assessment must be performed to assess the condition of the patient, this
might also reveal the cause of the shortness of breath. In Miss Hoffman’s case after the
respiratory assessment was performed it is obvious that the nurse should administer the
standing order nebulizer treatment, and the IV steroid to resolve her constricted
airways. After performing standing orders the nurse should immediately advise the
physician of the patient’s condition and await further orders.
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.
There were no laboratory values for Miss Hoffman however, I would expect to see
respiratory acidosis if she had labs drawn.
5. What communication techniques are important for an extremely anxious patient who
is having difficulty breathing?
It is extremely important to remain calm and communicate with the patient while
working quickly to treat Miss Hoffman. It may be necessary to coach the patient to deep
breath while the nebulizer treatment is running this way the medication gets into the
lungs and opens her constricted airways. Remaining calm and reassuring Miss Hoffman
will be very important during her treatment.
© Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
This study source was downloaded by 100000838401522 from CourseHero.com on 04-28-2022 05:10:44 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/43046402/Medical-Case-2-Jennifer-Hoffman-reflectiondocx/
