CASE STUDY WEEK 4

WEEK 4

An understanding of the respiratory system is a critically important component of disease diagnosis and treatment. This importance is magnified by the fact that oftentimes, the respiratory system works closely with the cardiovascular system. A variety of factors and circumstances that impact the emergence and severity of issues in one system can have a role in the performance of the other.

Effective disease analysis often requires an understanding that goes beyond these systems and their capacity to work together. The impact of patient characteristics, as well as racial and ethnic variables, can also have an important impact.

An understanding of the symptoms of alterations in the respiratory system is a critical step in diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. For APRNs, this understanding can also help educate patients and guide them through their treatment plans.

In this Assignment, you examine a case study and analyze the symptoms presented. You identify the elements that may be factors in the diagnosis, and you explain the implications to patient health.

The Assignment

In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following

• The pulmonary pathophysiologic processes that result in the patient presenting these symptoms.
• Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
• How these processes interact to affect the patient.

A 38-year-old female presents to the emergency room with complaints of dyspnea and left leg pain. Patient reports that her left leg started feeling heavy a few days ago and has also been red since she returned from a recent trip. She denies any injury to her leg. She reports that she started having some dyspnea in the last 24 hours. Patient history is remarkable for systemic lupus erythematosus and a history of recent airplane travel. She is also taking oral birth control. Her bp is 130/84, heart rate 100, R 24, and temp is 100.4F. Physical exam reveals unilateral +2 pitting leg edema to left leg with erythema.