CASE STUDY WK 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.

To prepare:

By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned to a specific case study scenario for this Case Study Assignment. Please see the “Announcements” section of the classroom for your assignment from your Instructor.

Note: These readings are intended to serve as supplementary to the Lecturio content provided in this course. Please refer/review these supplementary resources should you need help in reinforcing concepts and in preparation for completing this week’s Assessments.

• McCance, K. L. & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier.
  • Chapter 32: Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems; Summary Review
  • Chapter 33: Alterations of Cardiovascular Function (stop at Dysrhythmias); Summary Review
  • Chapter 35: Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System; Summary Review
  • Chapter 36: Alterations of Pulmonary Function (stop at Disorders of the chest wall and pleura); (obstructive pulmonary diseases) (stop at Pulmonary artery hypertension); Summary Review

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.
• 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.

  Scenario: A 50-year-old white female presents to the emergency room with complaints of increased chest congestion with purulent sputum production for the last 3 days. The patient reports she has had some increased dyspnea and is using her albuterol inhaler which isn’t helping her symptoms. The patient reports a history of tobacco use for last 10 years and a history of COPD which was diagnosed last year. The patient reports that her primary care provider ordered another medication for the COPD but she couldn’t afford it. The patient denies fever. The patient’s vital signs: BP 148/90, pulse 108, respirations 22, O2 sat 92%, and temp 98.1F. Chest x-ray reveals hyperinflation with flattened diaphragm but is without effusions or infiltrates.