CASE STUDIES
COLLECTION
Problem-Based Learning/Critical Thinking
Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis
Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning
Care
Case Studies
13th Edition
Mary Beth Flynn Makic
,Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning
Care 13th Edition, Mary Beth Flynn Makic
Case Studies Problem-Based Learning/Critical Thinking
Contents:
Case Study 1—Restless Leg Syndrome
Case Study 2—Baby T. – Premature Birth
Case Study 3—Carlo Stamm – Peanut Allergy
Case Study 4—Carmen Lopez-Rivers – Breast Cancer
Case Study 6—Mrs. Rakowski – Diabetes with Depression
Case Study 7—Domestic Terrorist – Community Shooter
Case Study 8—Emily K. – 12 Year Old with Type 1 Diabetes
Case Study 9—Gloria McInerney – Underweight & In Surgery
Case Study 10—Harry Tonka – Chest Pain
Case Study 13—Juanita Perez – Client in Labor
Case Study 14—Kitty Kraft – Major Depression
Case Study 15—Morrie Flack – COPD
Case Study 16—Mr. G. – Stroke and Rehabilitation
Case Study 17—Mr. Hammond – Diverticulitis
Case Study 18—Mr. Johnson – Limb Amputation
Case Study 19—Mr. John Sampson – Motor Vehicular Accident
Case Study 20—Mr. Lancaster’s Daughter – Care of Parents
Case Study 21—Mr. McEldowney – Gastric Bypass
Case Study 22—Mr. R. – Injured at Home
Case Study 23—Mr. Spole – Acute Myocardial Infarction
Case Study 24—Mr. W. – 55-Year-Old with Substance Abuse
Case Study 25—Mrs. Aiken – Diabetes Mellitus
Case Study 26—Mrs. Bohne – Fractured Hip
Case Study 27 —Mrs. Hernandez – Poor Health and Family Obligations
Case Study 28 —Mrs. Hill - Bathroom Accident
Case Study 29—Mrs. Jackson – Femoral-Popliteal Bypass Graft
Case Study 30 —Mrs. Jacobs – Heart Failure
Case Study 31 —Mrs. James – Boredom
Case Study 32—Mrs. Ross – Coping with Wound Care
Case Study 33—Mrs. Templeton – Dignity
Case Study 34—Ms. Ambrose – Insomnia
Case Study 35—Ms. Spencer – Postural Hypotension
Case Study 36—Mr. Newhouse – Husband of Wife with Intracranial Hemorrhage while
Pregnant
Case Study 37—Mrs. Salderini – Frail Adult
Case Study 38—T’Neshia Price – Gluten Sensitivity
Case Study 39—Tommy Patel – Veteran
Case Study 40—Yolanda Yost – Total Hip Replacement
,Makic: Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 13th Edition Case
Studies (2024)
Problem-Based Learning/Critical Thinking
Case Study 1—Restless Leg Syndrome
Case Scenario
Abdul Malek is a 21-year-old college student. He attends the local state university and is
a junior studying graphic design. Three weeks into his fall semester, Abdul’s professors
notice that he is falling asleep in class and often looks restless. Abdul taps his foot and
squirms around in his seat. Abdul, who is usually an excellent student, has failed his first
test in his Graphic Design II course. His professor asks him to see his advisor because the
fear is that Abdul has become chemically impaired. His advisor sends Abdul to the
student health services and his case is reviewed by the nurse.
Nursing Assessment
Abdul is a well-developed 22-year-old male with a BMI of 20. His vital signs are blood
pressure 104/78; temperature 98.4°F; heart rate—64 beats per minute; respiratory rate—
16 breaths per minute. A nutritional history confirms a well-balanced diet with the
exclusion of pork products. Abdul had been working out every day at the University gym
but reports that he is currently “too tired” to do so. Abdul denies drug or alcohol use and
this is confirmed by serum analysis. Abdul complains about sleeping poorly and feeling
as if, “I am moving all night.” He states that he often wakes up his dorm mate and feels
bad about that. The nurse reclines Abdul on the examination table and checks his deep
tendon reflexes (DTRs) which are all 2+. The nurse asks Abdul to relax and dims the
lights while she consults with the primary care practitioner. While the nurse is out of the
examination room Abdul dozes and when the nurse returns, the nurse observes Abdul’s
right leg jerking several times before she arouses him.
A. ASSESS
1. Identify significant symptoms by underlining them in the assessment.
2. List those symptoms that indicate the client has a health problem (those you have
underlined).
3. Group the symptoms that are similar.
B. DIAGNOSE
1. Select possible nursing diagnoses for this client.
Do this by looking at the list of nursing diagnoses in the book, Ackley and Ladwig’s
, Case Study 1-2
Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care.
Possible nursing diagnoses:
2. Validate the possible nursing diagnoses.
Compare the signs and symptoms (defining characteristics) that you have identified from
your client assessment with the defining characteristics for the nursing diagnosis that you
have selected. Also read the definition and determine if this diagnosis fits this client.
Validated nursing diagnoses include:
3. Write/select a nursing diagnostic statement for one of the nursing diagnoses by
combining the nursing diagnosis label with the related to (r/t) factors.
a. The label is the title of the nursing diagnosis as defined by NANDA-I. Include the
Domain and Class.
b. A related to (r/t) statement describes factors that may be contributing to or causing the
problem that resulted in the nursing diagnosis.
NANDA-I label:
Related Factors (r/t):
The complete nursing diagnostic statement is:
C. PLAN
1. Select appropriate NOC outcome from the Ackley/Ladwig text.
NOC outcome:
Fill out the grid with NOC indicators and the appropriate Likert scale.
Select the appropriate point on the Likert scale to measure the client’s current status.
INDICATOR
2. Or write outcomes to help resolve the symptoms (defining characteristics). Refer to
Section III of the Ackley/Ladwig text for the nursing diagnosis care plan.
COLLECTION
Problem-Based Learning/Critical Thinking
Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis
Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning
Care
Case Studies
13th Edition
Mary Beth Flynn Makic
,Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning
Care 13th Edition, Mary Beth Flynn Makic
Case Studies Problem-Based Learning/Critical Thinking
Contents:
Case Study 1—Restless Leg Syndrome
Case Study 2—Baby T. – Premature Birth
Case Study 3—Carlo Stamm – Peanut Allergy
Case Study 4—Carmen Lopez-Rivers – Breast Cancer
Case Study 6—Mrs. Rakowski – Diabetes with Depression
Case Study 7—Domestic Terrorist – Community Shooter
Case Study 8—Emily K. – 12 Year Old with Type 1 Diabetes
Case Study 9—Gloria McInerney – Underweight & In Surgery
Case Study 10—Harry Tonka – Chest Pain
Case Study 13—Juanita Perez – Client in Labor
Case Study 14—Kitty Kraft – Major Depression
Case Study 15—Morrie Flack – COPD
Case Study 16—Mr. G. – Stroke and Rehabilitation
Case Study 17—Mr. Hammond – Diverticulitis
Case Study 18—Mr. Johnson – Limb Amputation
Case Study 19—Mr. John Sampson – Motor Vehicular Accident
Case Study 20—Mr. Lancaster’s Daughter – Care of Parents
Case Study 21—Mr. McEldowney – Gastric Bypass
Case Study 22—Mr. R. – Injured at Home
Case Study 23—Mr. Spole – Acute Myocardial Infarction
Case Study 24—Mr. W. – 55-Year-Old with Substance Abuse
Case Study 25—Mrs. Aiken – Diabetes Mellitus
Case Study 26—Mrs. Bohne – Fractured Hip
Case Study 27 —Mrs. Hernandez – Poor Health and Family Obligations
Case Study 28 —Mrs. Hill - Bathroom Accident
Case Study 29—Mrs. Jackson – Femoral-Popliteal Bypass Graft
Case Study 30 —Mrs. Jacobs – Heart Failure
Case Study 31 —Mrs. James – Boredom
Case Study 32—Mrs. Ross – Coping with Wound Care
Case Study 33—Mrs. Templeton – Dignity
Case Study 34—Ms. Ambrose – Insomnia
Case Study 35—Ms. Spencer – Postural Hypotension
Case Study 36—Mr. Newhouse – Husband of Wife with Intracranial Hemorrhage while
Pregnant
Case Study 37—Mrs. Salderini – Frail Adult
Case Study 38—T’Neshia Price – Gluten Sensitivity
Case Study 39—Tommy Patel – Veteran
Case Study 40—Yolanda Yost – Total Hip Replacement
,Makic: Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 13th Edition Case
Studies (2024)
Problem-Based Learning/Critical Thinking
Case Study 1—Restless Leg Syndrome
Case Scenario
Abdul Malek is a 21-year-old college student. He attends the local state university and is
a junior studying graphic design. Three weeks into his fall semester, Abdul’s professors
notice that he is falling asleep in class and often looks restless. Abdul taps his foot and
squirms around in his seat. Abdul, who is usually an excellent student, has failed his first
test in his Graphic Design II course. His professor asks him to see his advisor because the
fear is that Abdul has become chemically impaired. His advisor sends Abdul to the
student health services and his case is reviewed by the nurse.
Nursing Assessment
Abdul is a well-developed 22-year-old male with a BMI of 20. His vital signs are blood
pressure 104/78; temperature 98.4°F; heart rate—64 beats per minute; respiratory rate—
16 breaths per minute. A nutritional history confirms a well-balanced diet with the
exclusion of pork products. Abdul had been working out every day at the University gym
but reports that he is currently “too tired” to do so. Abdul denies drug or alcohol use and
this is confirmed by serum analysis. Abdul complains about sleeping poorly and feeling
as if, “I am moving all night.” He states that he often wakes up his dorm mate and feels
bad about that. The nurse reclines Abdul on the examination table and checks his deep
tendon reflexes (DTRs) which are all 2+. The nurse asks Abdul to relax and dims the
lights while she consults with the primary care practitioner. While the nurse is out of the
examination room Abdul dozes and when the nurse returns, the nurse observes Abdul’s
right leg jerking several times before she arouses him.
A. ASSESS
1. Identify significant symptoms by underlining them in the assessment.
2. List those symptoms that indicate the client has a health problem (those you have
underlined).
3. Group the symptoms that are similar.
B. DIAGNOSE
1. Select possible nursing diagnoses for this client.
Do this by looking at the list of nursing diagnoses in the book, Ackley and Ladwig’s
, Case Study 1-2
Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care.
Possible nursing diagnoses:
2. Validate the possible nursing diagnoses.
Compare the signs and symptoms (defining characteristics) that you have identified from
your client assessment with the defining characteristics for the nursing diagnosis that you
have selected. Also read the definition and determine if this diagnosis fits this client.
Validated nursing diagnoses include:
3. Write/select a nursing diagnostic statement for one of the nursing diagnoses by
combining the nursing diagnosis label with the related to (r/t) factors.
a. The label is the title of the nursing diagnosis as defined by NANDA-I. Include the
Domain and Class.
b. A related to (r/t) statement describes factors that may be contributing to or causing the
problem that resulted in the nursing diagnosis.
NANDA-I label:
Related Factors (r/t):
The complete nursing diagnostic statement is:
C. PLAN
1. Select appropriate NOC outcome from the Ackley/Ladwig text.
NOC outcome:
Fill out the grid with NOC indicators and the appropriate Likert scale.
Select the appropriate point on the Likert scale to measure the client’s current status.
INDICATOR
2. Or write outcomes to help resolve the symptoms (defining characteristics). Refer to
Section III of the Ackley/Ladwig text for the nursing diagnosis care plan.
