Learning Points For Pulmonary Case Study Essay Examples

Symptoms/Test results

History of dry cough accompanied by low-grade fever spiking to 101 over a two week period
Admission to emergency room for same symptoms three months ago; prescribed antibiotics and inhaler when she declined admission. Gradual improvement to satisfactory level.
X-rays reveal evidence of emphysema; lung show hyperinflation bilaterally with increased AP diameter. Lungs demonstrate decreased breath sounds with right lower lobe dull to percussion.

Complains of depression secondary to lifestyle.

Contributing Factors
Low level of activity due to shortness of breath
History of smoking
Psycho-social Elements
Lives alone, but is slightly active in her church.
Grown daughters live near, but the relationship is not at the level she would like. She sees them once a month.
Two surviving sisters, one with breast cancer. She feels she may have lung cancer. She also expresses concern she may have pneumonia due to breathing problems.

Patient Education

Assure patient there are no indications of lung cancer in either of X-rays. Discuss warning signs of lung cancer and recommend contact with physician with concerns.
Promote smoking cessation through referral to community programs. Patient education for free aides from American Cancer Society. Referral to community services.
Promote low levels of activity, increasing with improvement in breathing. Referral to community services.
Discuss increasing contact with family members. Instruction on communication techniques for reaching out to members of the church and daughters. Encourage attendance with community and church groups for socialization and exercise.
Discuss possibility of adjustment to medical insurance coverage to include at least partial expense of medications to promote prescription compliance.

References

Cancer.org. (2015). Guide to Quitting Smoking. Retrieved 8 February 2015, from
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/index
Mayoclinic.org. (2015). Lung cancer Symptoms - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic.
Retrieved 8 February 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/basics/symptoms/CON-20025531
UG, C. (1996). Diagnosis and management of chronic persistent dry cough. - PubMed - NCBI.
Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 8 February 2015, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8977940
Ucsfhealth.org,. (2015). Emphysema Treatment | Conditions & Treatments | UCSF Medical
Center. Retrieved 8 February 2015, from
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/emphysema/treatment.html