Case: Extended Living Facility

Case: Extended Living Facility

Week 2 discussion

DQ1 You work in an Extended Living Facility with 122 residents which is experiencing a recent illness within the complex. Several of the residents have been experiencing the following symptoms over the past 3 to 5 days: fever, chills, diaphoresis, muscle aches and pains, cough, and loss of appetite. The Public Health Nurse visited the facility and suspects influenza A and recommends only those health care workers who have received the influenza vaccine to continue to work shifts with the residents.

Callie works as a personal care attendant and has had her “flu shot” but she does not understand how this will help protect her from getting the flu. What type of immunity does the flu shot provide physiologically at the cellular level? How can you help Callie understand how her immune system is at work in this case.

As the nurse, you must also consider the older adult population that is affected in this situation. Why is this important?

DQ2 First, Please Watch This Video. Then Read the Case Study Below and Answer the Questions.

Understanding Acid-Base Balance

A woman brings her 77 year-old father into the clinic. She explains her father has been sleepy and has not wanted to eat because he has been feeling nauseated. She also tells you he has not been urinating very much. Upon assessment you find the patient is lethargic but arousable. The following are his laboratory results:

Lab findings:

Na 146

Cl 112

K 3.9

Arterial Blood Gases:

pH 7.32

PCO2 33

HCO3 20

PO2 97

Urinalysis:

Urine Specific Gravity 1.038

Based on these results, what specific electrolyte disturbance does the patient have?

What clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to see with this electrolyte abnormality?

What abnormalites of blood gas is/are seen in this patient? Provide a rationale for each result.

What is your interpretation of this arterial blood gas?

What is the patient’s anion gap? Please explain if it is decreased, increased, or normal. Provide a rationale for your response.