LAB ASSIGNMENT: ETHICAL CONCERNS
MS in Nursing - BSN-AGAC, Walden University
NURS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
Page 1 of 5
, The Case Study
A 49-year-old woman by initials B.C. with advanced stage cancer has been admitted to
the emergency room with cardiac arrest. Her husband and one of her children accompanied the
ambulance.
Health Assessments and Diagnostic Tests
When a patient with advanced stage cancer presents with cardiac arrest, it is crucial to
gather comprehensive information about the patient's health status. This information can be
obtained through health assessments and diagnostic tests.
Considering that this is an emergent situation, gathering health assessment information
should be done in a fast timely manner prioritizing the most relevant data from the immediate
relative in the situation. These health assessments include:
1. Medical History: This includes the patient's cancer type, stage, and treatment history. It
also includes any comorbid conditions, medications, allergies, and lifestyle factors (e.g.,
smoking, alcohol use). This information can help identify potential causes or contributing
factors to cardiac arrest (Patel, & Hipskind, 2023).
2. Physical Examination: This includes vital signs, physical appearance, and examination
of the cardiovascular system. Any abnormalities can provide clues about the patient's
current health status (NCI, n.d.).
3. Psychosocial Assessment: This includes the patient's and next of kin’s mental and
emotional health, social support, and coping mechanisms. This information can help
guide patient-centered care and decision-making (Riba, & et al., 2019).
Page 2 of 5
MS in Nursing - BSN-AGAC, Walden University
NURS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
Page 1 of 5
, The Case Study
A 49-year-old woman by initials B.C. with advanced stage cancer has been admitted to
the emergency room with cardiac arrest. Her husband and one of her children accompanied the
ambulance.
Health Assessments and Diagnostic Tests
When a patient with advanced stage cancer presents with cardiac arrest, it is crucial to
gather comprehensive information about the patient's health status. This information can be
obtained through health assessments and diagnostic tests.
Considering that this is an emergent situation, gathering health assessment information
should be done in a fast timely manner prioritizing the most relevant data from the immediate
relative in the situation. These health assessments include:
1. Medical History: This includes the patient's cancer type, stage, and treatment history. It
also includes any comorbid conditions, medications, allergies, and lifestyle factors (e.g.,
smoking, alcohol use). This information can help identify potential causes or contributing
factors to cardiac arrest (Patel, & Hipskind, 2023).
2. Physical Examination: This includes vital signs, physical appearance, and examination
of the cardiovascular system. Any abnormalities can provide clues about the patient's
current health status (NCI, n.d.).
3. Psychosocial Assessment: This includes the patient's and next of kin’s mental and
emotional health, social support, and coping mechanisms. This information can help
guide patient-centered care and decision-making (Riba, & et al., 2019).
Page 2 of 5
