Health Problems Diagnosed by the Group, Prioritized Health Problems, and Measuring Nursing Intervention - Case Study Example

Individual Written Report Name Institution Course Date Individual Written Report Introduction Medical care involves diagnosis, treatment general prevention of sickness, diseases, injury and other mental and physical abnormalities or problems that strain the normal health of human beings. Practioners and expert in different areas of health care include dentistry, chiropractic, medicine and other care providers. The provision of modern health relies on variety aspects. Above all the accurate diagnosis of both problem and its cause so that the doctors understand the best type of intervention to provide (Bulechek & Dochterman1999, p42). This implies that the diagnosis process is quite fundamental and at the base of any health intervention. This report provides a detailed diagnosis of problems of one specific patient and puts forward possible intervention measures to redeem the situation. The report both analyses the symptoms and provides a detailed lab analysis of the patient’s health problems. Health problems diagnosed by the group The group diagnosed over four problems in the patient. The first problem was described as a self –care deficit associated with an impaired ability to birth and perform other hygienic activities for oneself. The main potential problem in this diagnosis is an impaired skin integrity leading to general immobilization by limiting physical activities through pressure score, tissue inflammation, inflammation of the skin, and exacerbation of depression (Nanda Nursing Interventions). The second medical problem diagnosed by the group involved altered levels of consciousness in the patient. Other potential difficulties associated with this disorder include cardiac arrest and coma (Nursing Crib). The group analyzed the potential risks the patient is exposed to due to this kind of disorder and proposed the best mechanism for treatment and nursing intervention roles. In the lab examination, clear procedures and guidelines are provided for the patient to regain their full consciousness and the data kept to guide the intervention process (Matthews & Russell, p. 28). In addition, the group diagnosed a third health problem which was post operation wound infection. The potential difficulties and problems associated with this disorder include thromboembolism, wound infection and hematoma, or hemorrhage (The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland). This condition could greatly worsen and form a serious wound that can even hinder several physical actions. The group evaluated the situation, recorded the data and provided guidelines to intervention measures to redeem the patient’s condition. Forth problem diagnosed by the group is the respiratory acidosis. The problem leads to other potential difficulties such as muscle dysfunction and muscle twitching. This can also affect physical operations in the patients (Ollerton). The role of nurses is clearly defined in the intervention process and specific guideline the groups generally illustrate the intervention process and how the patient should respond to treatment. Prioritized problems The two prioritized health problems include respiratory acidosis and the wound infection. Respiratory acidosis is a health condition which occurs as a result of the lungs failing to remove all the carbon dioxide produced by the body. This causes acidification of body fluids at different ph levels depending on the seriousness of the problem. The disease can be caused by a number of factors, which include diseases of the airways for instance, asthma, and other chronic lung diseases, chest diseases, problems on muscles that assist the lungs excessive use of drugs that could greatly suppress breathing and many other conditions that could affect the breathing system. Chronic state of this medical condition occurs over along period. At this level, the condition becomes stable as the kidneys produce bicarbonates that assist in neutralizing the acidic level. However, in the acute form of the condition, there is a quick build up of carbon dioxide levels and the kidneys cannot control the situation. The general symptoms’ include easy, fatigue, confusion, lethargy, shortness of breath and sleepiness. The second prioritized problem is post operative wound infections. This is a delayed recovery of a surgical wound, which may produce a last squeal thereby requiring more resources for investigation and nursing care. Quality patient’s care has it relevant that the disorder is prevented or reduced. Research supports the concept that intervention and even reduction of post operation wound can be best done through creating general awareness and education on its causes supported by critically assessed infection control. Surveillance of the infection is necessary to establish the magnitude of the problem in order to provide the best intervention measures. A number of factors can cause this problem. These factors are categorized into patient, surgical categories, pre-operative patient care, staff theatre design and general planning, and the type of equipment used. In this case, all the above possibilities are evaluated and the problem is linked to the other problems the patient have. For instance, the problem can be because of body immunity altered caused by the effects respiratory acidosis. Analysis of the nursing interventions hint that the two treatment of one disorder boosts the healing the other. For instance, treating the respiratory acidosis means treating the respiratory problems in the chest that cause it. Apart from the controlled emission of carbon dioxide in the body, it improves the supply of oxygen in other parts of the body. Oxygen is used then used to produce energy, which is relevant in healing the wound. In the case, of wound infection, the nurse is supposed to intervene by cleaning and dressing the wound and asses and report the flow wound drainage. In addition, the nurse is supposed to provide proper temperature for the wound to heal. The nurse should also administer antibiotics to as prescribed by the doctor and maintain the pressure at the surgical wound as they check the Bp hourly. The expected results including stopping the formation hematoma or hemorrhage shown by high amounts of wound drainage and removal of tense inflammation in surgical place. In case the expeteced outcome is not realized, the nurse in supposed to inform the doctor. The doctor can then make a decision to refer the patient back to the lab for examination of other possible causes of the wound. This is because the wound may have serious complication rather than the general assumed ones. In the case of respiratory acidosis, the role of the nurse is to consistently monitor respiratory rate, effort and depth. The nurse is also supposed to auscultate breath sounds and check, the declining level of awareness .In addition, nurse is supposed to intervene through noting skin color, moisture, and temperature and assists the patient with deep breathing exercise, coughing and turning. He /she has also to discuss the cause with the patient the course of severe conditions and how to prevent them; this to ensure that the patient is a position to avoid such infections in future. Due to problems in breathing, the patient may require oxygen and the nurse functions to administer the oxygen as per the doctor’s prescriptions. After this, he/she should read the draw graphs of serial ABGs to monitor the patient’s progress. The patient is supposed to respond through adequate oxygen and improved ventilation as indicated by theresulsts on ABG graphs and the disappearance of distress symptoms. Administration of oxygen is necessary as for the patient is he often has breathing problems which implies that he has less oxygen in the body. The patient thereby requires additional oxygen to enhance aerobic activities in the body to produce energy which is necessary for healing. In case the patient fails to respond to the intervention plan, the doctor is required to investigate the other possible causes of the problem such as asthma and chest problems. Measuring nursing intervention Nursing intervention is quite a crucial element in the process of treating different conditions. It involves all the activities partaken by a nurse to promote the treatment process. Professional nursing organizations in different parts of the world have classified a number of systems to define such interventions and create standardized systems by which the intervention effectiveness of different nurses can be assessed. There are four defined stages in nursing interventions. The first stage is the evaluation stage where the nurse determines the main problem and its major cause. For instance, in the lab analysis about respiratory acidosis named above, the nurse assessed the nature of the condition basing on the symptom and lab analysis and determined the possible cause. After this the nurse formulated the right intervention plan which in the case of the wound infection involves using antibiotics and dressing the wound (The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland). After ensuring that the plan is appropriate, the nurse implements in it and then evaluates the whole process to determine the response of the patient and outcome of the intervention. The general objective of the nurses is to ensure the well being of the patients. The nurses thereby endeavor to formulate the best plans to ensure quickest recovery of their patient. The effectiveness of the intervention measures is charged basing on its ability to bring out the desired response, which in this case is the healing of the patient. However, results of the intervention process have not always been positive, this does not necessary imply that the intervention mechanism was poor. For instance, in third problem caused by the wound infection, the medical intervention is supposed to stop hematoma formation at the wound through high levels of drainage. The effectiveness of a nursing intervention plan is measured through its ability to achieve the final target which in theses case is healing of the wound. To achieve this, the nurse is supposed to strictly follow the intervention plan and carry out the intervention actions effectively. The first stage of the intervention process in quite vital in the whole intervention process as it determines all the next stages of intervention. In this stage, effectiveness is measured through the accuracy of the assessment on the nature of the problem and the possible cause. For instance, the case, of post operation wound infection, the nurse should be able to establish the exact cause of the infection to be in best position to formulate the most effective intervention plan. In the case, of respiratory acidosis, the nurse must be establishing the exact cause among different possibilities to be able to treat the problem. In general, the effectiveness of the intervention plan can only be measured true its ability to achieve the desired response. References Bulechek, G. M., & Dochterman, J. M. C. (1999). Nursing interventions: Effective nursing treatments. Philadelphia: Saunders. Matthews, E., & Russell, E. (2005). Rationing medical care on the basis of age: the moral dimensions. Oxford [u.a.], Radcliffe Pub. Nanda Nursing Interventions 2012, Nursing Interventions for Self-Care Deficit - Bathing / Hygien. Retrieved from, . Nursing Crib 2012. Nursing care plan- Respiratory acidosis. Retrieved form http://nursingcrib.com/nursing-care-plan/nursing-care-plan-respiratory-acidosis/>. Ollerton, J.E. 2007, Adult trauma clinical practice guidelines: Emergency airway management in the trauma patient. NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management, Retrieved from http://www.itim.nsw.gov.au/images/8/8a/Airway_CPG_summary_report.pdf>. The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland 2007, Anaesthesia and Peri- Operative Care of the Elderly wound. Retrieved from . Read More