acute care of the elderly
CARE STUDY
Assessing patients systematically and being able to interpret the findings is an essential aspect of nursing because it allows their care to be prioritised appropriately and alleviate the process of their recovery or treatment through the ability to recognise and carry out suitable care plan, based on their needs and preferences (NICE,2007). It allows the early management of diseases, illnesses or emergency situations and leads to patient safety, positive clinical outcome, and avoidable deaths and reduced hospital stay (Rivers et al, 2001).
In the following paragraphs, I will be critically writing about the assessment and care given to an acutely ill patient in a cardiac ward where I had my second placement as an adult student nurse while his present condition to underlying past medical history. The patient’s consent was gained prior to this assessment and to protect his identity and maintain confidentiality (NMC, 2008), he will be referred to as James, a pseudonym. The ward is for both female and male patients who have acute and chronic cardiac problems like congestive cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome and other cardiac related conditions so they can be given the necessary treatment to help them get better or manage their condition.
The ABCDE approach (Resuscitation council, 2006) which is a mnemonic for airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure was used to assess the care given to this patient because it is widely accepted and applicable in clinical emergencies.It also improves clinical outcome by saving valuable time and preventing patient’s deterioration through a rapid assessment, quick identification of life threatening issues and timely intervention.
Scenario
James is a 68 year old man with a past medical history (PMH) of angina and hypertension who was admitted to the ward at 8:00 am from the Accident and Emergency department due to complaints of severe episodes of chest pains that did not
Assessing patients systematically and being able to interpret the findings is an essential aspect of nursing because it allows their care to be prioritised appropriately and alleviate the process of their recovery or treatment through the ability to recognise and carry out suitable care plan, based on their needs and preferences (NICE,2007). It allows the early management of diseases, illnesses or emergency situations and leads to patient safety, positive clinical outcome, and avoidable deaths and reduced hospital stay (Rivers et al, 2001).
In the following paragraphs, I will be critically writing about the assessment and care given to an acutely ill patient in a cardiac ward where I had my second placement as an adult student nurse while his present condition to underlying past medical history. The patient’s consent was gained prior to this assessment and to protect his identity and maintain confidentiality (NMC, 2008), he will be referred to as James, a pseudonym. The ward is for both female and male patients who have acute and chronic cardiac problems like congestive cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome and other cardiac related conditions so they can be given the necessary treatment to help them get better or manage their condition.
The ABCDE approach (Resuscitation council, 2006) which is a mnemonic for airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure was used to assess the care given to this patient because it is widely accepted and applicable in clinical emergencies.It also improves clinical outcome by saving valuable time and preventing patient’s deterioration through a rapid assessment, quick identification of life threatening issues and timely intervention.
Scenario
James is a 68 year old man with a past medical history (PMH) of angina and hypertension who was admitted to the ward at 8:00 am from the Accident and Emergency department due to complaints of severe episodes of chest pains that did not