Please Read the case and answer the questions. (Please be sure to answer ALL questions using at LEAST 3 to 5 sentences.)
Case
Barbara is a 66 years old grandma who has been smoking since she was 22 years old. Despite numerous attempts, she has been unable to break her pack-a-day habit. She has just undertaken the ‘smoking jacket’ concept because she lives with her daughter and three grandchildren, and her daughter has recently learned about second-hand smoke in the First 5 program that works for her son. During her annual examination at her PCP’s office, Barbara reports being “constantly out of breath” and tired. She is wheezing slightly and states this is because she has recently been fighting a cold.
On assessment, her provider notes several symptoms, including clubbing of the fingers. Barbara has a barrel-shaped chest, uses pursed-lip breathing, and is using accessory muscles to breath. She has difficulty catching her breath while speaking. Inspection reveals peripheral edema. Vital signs include a heart rate of 82 beats per minute and respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Oxygen saturation is 87%. Spirometry results show reduced FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and reduced forced vital capacity. She has never had full Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) done.
Questions
Advanced Physical Assessment:
1. Is Barbara’s oxygen saturation value normal?
2. What is clubbing? What might explain the clubbing of Barbara’s fingers?
3. Where does the discovery of pursed-lip breathing belong in the SOAP note and why? And clubbing? Why?
4. How do we convey whether or not Barbara’s Health care Maintenance is up-to-date? What does that consist of and where does that belong in her note?
5. What are two “pertinent positives (or negatives)” in the physical findings? Where do they belong in the SOAP note?
Advanced Pharmacology:
1.What medications are indicated in this situation?
2. Are you looking for a curative treatment or symptom management?
3.Discuss the most common routes of administration for Barbara’s medication regimen. Are there advantages to using multiple routes? Disadvantages?
Advanced Pathophysiology:
1. Why has Barbara developed a barrel-shaped appearance to her chest?
2. Why is Barbara using pursed-lip breathing?
3.What is the significance of the spirometry test results?
4.Given Barbara’s pulmonary issues, why may she have developed peripheral edema?
5.Describe the course of disease (signs, symptoms, physical exam, lab and diagnostic studies) that you expect if she remains untreated.
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