Analyze asthma attacks|Essay guru

Posted: January 25th, 2023

Pulmonary Function:
D.R. is a 27-year-old man, who presents to the nurse practitioner at the Family Care Clinic complaining of increasing SOB, wheezing, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drainage—all of which began four days ago. Three days ago, he began monitoring his peak flow rates several times a day. His peak flow rates have ranged from 65-70% of his regular baseline with nighttime symptoms for 3 nights in the last week and often have been at the lower limit of that range in the morning. Three days ago, he also began to self-treat with frequent albuterol nebulizer therapy. He reports that usually, his albuterol inhaler provides him with relief from his asthma symptoms, but this is no longer enough treatment for this asthmatic episode.

Case Study 1 Questions:

1. According to the case study information, how would you classify the severity of D.R.’s asthma attack?
2. Name the most common triggers for asthma in any given patient and specify in your answer which ones you consider applied to D.R. in the case study.
3. Based on your knowledge and your research, please explain the factors that might be the etiology of D.R. being an asthmatic patient.

Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis:
Ms. Brown is a 70-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus who has been too ill to get out of bed for 2 days. She has had a severe cough and has been unable to eat or drink during this time. On admission, her laboratory values show the following:

• Serum glucose 412 mg/dL
• Serum sodium (Na+) 156 mEq/L
• Serum potassium (K+) 5.6 mEq/L
• Serum chloride (Cl–) 115 mEq/L
• Arterial blood gases (ABGs): pH 7.30; PaCO2 32 mmHg; PaO2 70 mmHg; HCO3– 20 mEq/L

Case Study 2 Questions:

1. Based on Ms. Brown admission’s laboratory values, could you determine what type of water and electrolyte imbalance she has? Name all of them based on the lab results and clinical presentation.
2. Describe the signs and symptoms of the different types of water imbalance and describe the clinical manifestation she might exhibit with the potassium level she has.
3. In the specific case presented which would be the most appropriate treatment for Ms. Brown and why? Include both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches.
4. What do the ABGs from Ms. Brown indicate regarding her acid-base imbalance?
5. Based on your readings and your research define and describe Anion Gaps and their clinical significance.

Submission Instructions:

• This assignment has 2 case studies. You must work and include both case studies in your initial post.
• Your initial post should be at least 500 words for each case study, formatted and cited in the current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources

SOLUTION

The patient, D.R., is experiencing an exacerbation of asthma symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drainage. He has been monitoring his peak flow rates, which have been lower than his baseline, and using albuterol nebulizer therapy for self-treatment, but his symptoms have not improved.

The nurse practitioner should assess the patient’s asthma severity, perform a physical examination and lung function tests, and consider adjusting the patient’s treatment plan, including increasing the frequency or dose of bronchodilators, prescribing oral steroids and antibiotics if there is evidence of infection, and providing education on asthma management and triggers.