Question

Case Study

Mrs Hampshire has now been in the facility for 10 weeks. During this time, Mrs Hampshire has gradually improved in her health status. Regular physiotherapy sessions have maintained the muscle tone of the affected side of her body and she has been able use an electric wheelchair, which has increased her level of social interaction and physical mobility.

On admission, communication was noted to be a problem for Mrs Hampshire and was also contributing to her depression and isolation. A communication board was used and Mrs Hampshire also communicated via written words on a notepad, though this was difficult as she was previously left-handed.

Improvement in her speech through regular speech therapy sessions has also meant that Mrs Hampshire is able to communicate her needs more easily.

Mrs Hampshire still requires a special diet. By recording how much Mrs Hampshire is eating and drinking, it is found that she is not taking adequate fluids. After discussion with the supervisor and Mrs Hampshire’s daughter, a plan is made for Mrs Hampshire’s daughter to give her extra fluid after lunch each day. Her daughter also remembers that her mother doesn’t like coffee or tea but prefers chocolate. Mrs Hampshire’s fluid is changed to chocolate milk and the fluid intake increases to a healthy level.

Question

1.Explain the care actions that were taken and the body system that was affected?

2. What problem-solving activity did the support worker take to assist with fluid intake to improve urinary system functioning?

3. Identify the health issues that Mrs Hampshire had and may experience. Explain how this problem affects other systems of the body in supporting healthy functioning?

Answer 1

1.The body system which where affected are

• Musculoskeletal system:the patient has loss of muscle tone,inability to mobilize. The care of action taken here is providing a electric wheelchair for mobilization
• Central nervous system:The patient experiencing depression and isolation, inability to speak. The care of action initiated are mobilization has enhanced her social interaction and thereby preventing isolation and depression. Speech therapy to communicate
• Gastrointestinal system:Lack of fluid intake can lead to dehydration and other problems so the patient was cared by providing adequate fluid by preferences

2.The problem solving activity initiated by support worker to assist with fluid intake to improve urinary system functioning by providing chocolate milk shake after lunch.

3.The health issues Mrs .Hampshire experiences and it affects the other system in the following way

• Decreased fluid intake can affect the renal system leading to decreased urine production, accumulation of toxins in the body and causing kidney problems. This will affect the acid base balance of the body.Also it can lead to hypotension due to low fluid intake affecting the circulatory system.It can decrease the gastric motility leading to constipation.
• The problem of decreased mobility can affect the system like skeletal system leading to muscle twitch, contracture, pressure ulcer ,deep vein thrombosis, chance of foot drop and when patient tries to walk will have difficulty because of weakness
• Psychological disruption may have lead to loss of comple cognitive function gradually if not treat in the right way
• Communication problems can cease interaction with the society and other people. This overtime can make patient to become arrogant and avoidance nature psychologically.