Case studies: these case studies may appear to be challenging, but it is important to plan your work and undertake each case study in a systematic way.By adopting a systematic approach with each case,...

Case studies: these case studies may appear to be challenging, but it is important to plan your work and undertake each case study in a systematic way.By adopting a systematic approach with each case, you will be able to develop appropriate therapeutic recommendations for each patient.

In your timetable there is a scheduled session to go through the case studies so that you are equipped to complete the assessment.

Note: you need to completeall four cases studies. You also have a summary question (maximum 150 words) at the end of the case studies that you need to complete. The summary question is an opportunity for you to describe how you have completed this assignment.

Remember that this assignment is worth 30% of your final grade. All questions are worth the same number of marks, different numbers of words may be required for different answers. You have a total of 1500 words for this assignment.

Tips to tackle these case studies

1. Carefully read and think about the information included in the case study.
• Take notes, highlight relevant facts, underline key problems.
• Look up the meaning of words you don’t know and start aglossaryfor yourself.

A glossary is alistoftermsin asubjectwithaccompanyingdefinitions.

• If you need to look up the meaning of terms or words one of the most reliable sources of information can be found athttps://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html

MedlinePlus is produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and provides authoritative information in clear non-medical language.

• I have suggested by using italics some of the words you should be looking up. I have started a glossary for you on the next page.

2. Focus your analysis
• The questions that are asked are there to guide you. Answer the questions.

3. Uncover possible solutions
• Review course materials and outside research as suggested. Remember to reference the outside resources that you use.
• Use APA referencing. References are included in your total word count
• To reference correctly seehttp://rmit.libguides.com/nursing-referencing

4. Select the best solution(s)
• Consider strong supporting evidence, pros, and cons: is this solution realistic?

5.Answer the questions in the allotted spaces –The boxes will expand as you type.The final document, (cases, questions and your answers) should be uploaded on Canvas. The document should be uploaded as YOUR ID_FAMILY NAME.

EXAMPLE GLOSSARY(You will see that I have put the words in alphabetical order.)

Anterior:nearer the front, especially in the front of the body

Lymph node:A small bean-shaped structure that is part of the body’s immune system. Lymph nodes filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease. There are hundreds of lymph nodes found throughout the body. They are connected to one another by lymph vessels. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the neck, underarm, chest, abdomen, and groin.

Oedematous:An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or body cavities.

CASE STUDY 1

Peter, a 76-year-old man, presented to outpatients—after having been referred by his general practitioner—with 6 weeks of intermittent lower abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, andfebrileepisodes.

He had been treated for a urinary tract infection by his general practitioner, with no improvement.

The computed tomography (CT scan) suggestedintestinal perforationsecondary to an ingested bone.The patient was taken to the operating theatre and a loop of intestineresected. Once theincisionwas closed, the patient was returned to the ward where he was treated with a number of different I.V. antibiotics.

Remember the tips to tackle case studies above.

CASE 2

Ralph is a 68-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital from his long-term care nursing home after 1 week of dyspnoea and cough. He was seen by a G.P. at the nursing home and was diagnosed with a COPD exacerbation. He was prescribed oral amoxycillin, but his condition did not improve after 3 days of treatment.

Upon admission to hospital, it was thought that Ralph had community acquired pneumonia (CAP).Ralph was prescribed a regimen of two different antibiotics - intravenousceftriaxone1 gonce a day, andoral doxycycline 100mg every 12 hours (twice each day).

CASE 3

Penny, is a 50-year-old woman who has a has a history of rheumatoid arthritis and complicated diverticulitis. She had previously undergone a temporary colostomy and has subsequently undergone successful reversal of the colostomy.

After recovery and subsequent return to normal dietary activity, Penny continues to have some discomfort in the lower abdomen and develops a watery diarrhea. The diarrhoea persists despite several return visits to the specialist’s office. She is admitted to hospital so that she can have a series of tests to identify the cause of the diarrhoea. Penny is eventually found to test positive for aClostridium difficileinfection.

CASE 4

Alison is a healthy 28-year-old woman. She wakes early after a very disrupted night, in which she has needed to get up frequently to urinate, however each time she passed only a small amount of urine which feels as if it is “burning”.

Alison goes into a pharmacy onto her way to work. After she has described her symptoms to the pharmacist, she is advised to see a doctor. The doctor suspects that Alison has a urinary tract infection and gives her a prescription for antibiotics.Alison is heterosexual and has been sexually active since she was 18 years of age.She has been in a monogamous sexual relationship for the last 6 monthsand takes the oral contraceptive pill each day. She has not missed any pills this month. She is a social drinker and does not smoke.

SUMMARY QUESTION