Pre-Clinical Assignment
Anita Mall
Delaware Technical Community College

Diagnosis
Pneumonia:
* Definition- Inflammation of the respiratory bronchioles and alveoli * Signs & Symptoms- Cough (productive or nonproductive), increased sputum (rust colored, discolored, purulent, bloody, or mucoid) production, fever, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, chills, headache, myalgia, and confusion in older adults * Assessment/Interventions- * Provide patient teaching and education on exercises (breathing and physical) that help prevent infection or pneumonia. * Have patient in Semi-Fowler’s or High-Fowlers position, especially during meals and drinking * Turn patient every 2 hours * Assess patient’respiratory status and vital signs every 4 hours * Provide adequate fluid intake * Administer prescribed meds (including oxygen) and monitor effects
Diabetes:
* Definition- (Mellitus) a group of chronic metabolic disorders characterized by inappropriate hyperglycemia * Signs & Symptoms- severe dehydration, hypovolemic shock (hypotension, weak and rapid pulse), severe hyperglycemia, shallow respirations, altered mental health status, abd pain * Assessment/Interventions- * Assess patient’s blood glucose before meals and before sleeping at night * Assess patient’s vital signs (especially BP) every 4 hours * Assess patient’s feet everyday * Provide patient teaching and education on the importance of good foot hygiene and wearing well-fitting shoes (avoid walking barefoot) * Provide patient with a list of foods to stay away from and have patient recite back * Provide patient teaching and education on maintaining proper blood glucose levels by prescribed medication, diet, and exercise
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): * Definition- inability of the heart to pump enough