Introduction
Tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency that is associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality without immediate interventions. It is critical for healthcare professionals to identify and treat this condition promptly. This paper will discuss a case study of Pritesh who is developing tension pneumothorax following a haemothorax which is an accumulation of blood in the pleural space (Brown & Edwards, 2012). The paper will focus on giving a description of patient’s symptoms and complaint, discussing the step taken in assessing patient needs and the relevant managements. Finally, the author will evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions, summarise the key points as well as outline knowledge gained from the case study.
Brief description of the patient’s presenting symptoms and initial complaint
Wildgruber and Rummeny (2012) define tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition where air enters the pleural cavity during inspiration but cannot escape during expiration. It is more common in patients with chest traumas and those with mechanical ventilations (Briggs, 2010). Increased the thoracic pressure will compress against the heart and the unaffected lung impairing cardiac functions and ventilation (Pons, & National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, 2011). Rapid intervention is required to prevent fatal conditions include hypoxia, shock, cardiorespiratory arrest and death (Wildgruber & Rummeny, 2012; Day, 2011; Bethel, 2008).
Assessment of the patient and patient needs
Assessments focus on establishing the underlying cause for Pritesh’s rapid deterioration to guide successful interventions. Vital signs give valuable clues about the patient’s status (Brown & Edwards, 2012). Pritesh...
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... expected to show normal values of PaO2 (80-100 mmHg), PaCo2 (35-45 mmHg) and pH (7.36-7.44) which confirm adequate perfusion and the absence of acidosis (Casey, 2013; Elliott et al, 2012).
CXR done after intervention showed that the patient right lung has expanded with no trachea deviation which confirm the effectiveness of the interventions (Urden et al, 2014; Wilson et al, 2013).
Conclusion including evidence of learning
In conclusion, tension pneumothorax is emergency procedure which can develop if chest tubes are occluded. The writer has learned to check for a proper functioning drainage and a patent chest tube as well as the management of tension pneumothorax which prioritise establishing adequate perfusion and cardiac output. Education is also important to both patients and healthcare workers as insufficient knowledge could lead to fatal conditions.
Dr. Murray, the chief resident who arrived around 8:00pm, charted Lewis’ heart rate as normal and noteds a probable ileus; however, nursing documentation at the same time recorded a heart rate of 126 beats per minute (Monk, 2002). Subsequent heart rates at midnight and 4:00am arewere charted as 142 and 140 beats per minute respectively without documented intervention (Monk, 2002 ). On Monday morning Lewis noted that his pain suddenly stopped after being very constant and staff charted that they were unable to get a blood pressure recording in either arm or leg from 8:30-10:15am despite trying multiple machines (Monk, 2002; Solidline Media, 2010).
1. Nine year old Jerry stumbled into a drug store, which is usually open late with very few attendants, gasping for breath. Blood was oozing from a small hole in his chest wall. When paramedics arrived, they said that Jerry had suffered a pneumothorax and atelectasis. Just what do both these terms mean and how do you explain his respiratory distress? How will it be treated?
Noticeable indications of deterioration have been shown in numerous patients few hours prior to a critical condition (Jeroen Ludikhuize, et al.2012). Critical condition can be prevented by recognizing and responding to early indications of clinical and physiological deterioration ( kyriacosu, jelsma,&jordan (2011). According to NPSA (2007) delay in responding to deteriorating vital signs have been defined as an complication resulting in prolonged length of stay, disability or death, not attributed to the patient's underlying illness procedure along but by their health-care management ( Baba-Akbari Sari et al. 2006; Helling, Martin, Martin, & Mitchell, 2014). A number of studies demonstrate that changes or alterations in a patient’s
A tension pneumothorax can be caused by a blunt or penetrating trauma, in the case study provided it would be a blunt trauma. The trauma to the chest area causes damage to the plural cavity; either the visceral (lines either lung) or parietal plura (lines the thoracic wall), or can be caused by trauma to the traceobronchial tree (Daley, 2014). The trauma to the chest area causes the formation of a one-way-valve, this allows for the air to flow into the plural space on inhalation, but on exhalation cannot be expelled (Curtis, Ramsden, & Lord, 2011). As the trapped air in the lungs build up within the affected side it can cause serious complications. In the case study it is the left lung that is in distress, and as the pressure increases within the left lung it can cause an impaired venus return to the right atrium (Daley, 2014). The increased pressure can eventually affect the right lung as the pressure builds in the left side and causes mediastinal shift which increases pressure on the right lung, which decreases the patients ability to breath, and diffuse the bodies tissues appropriately. The increase in pressure on the left side where the original traum...
The treatment priorities of the registered nurse upon admission to the emergency department are as follows; within the first 10 minutes of Mr. Bronson’s arrival to the emergency department begin a 12 lead ECG. Assess Mr. Bronson’s vitals heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and administer oxygen 2-4 liters via nasal cannula (Sen, B., McNab, A., & Burdess, C., 2009, p. 19). Assess any pre hospital medications, and if he has done cocaine in the last 24 hours. At this time, the nurse should assess Mr. Bronson’s pain quality, location, duration, radiation, and intensity. Timing of onset of current episode that brought him to the emergency room, any precipitating factors, and what relieves his chest pain.
HENDERSON, Y (1998) A practical approach to breathing control in primary care. Nursing Standard (JULY) 22 (44) p41
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the primary assessments concluded on patients who are believed to be suffering from cardiac complications. It involves a series of leads attached to the patient which measure the electrical activity of the heart and can be used to detect abnormalities in the heart function. The ECG is virtually always permanently abnormal after an acute myocardial infarction (Julian, Cowan & Mclenachan, 2005). Julies ECG showed an ST segment elevation which is the earliest indication that a myocardial infarction had in fact taken place. The Resuscitation Council (2006) recommends that clinical staff use a systematic approach when assessing and treating an acutely ill patient. Therefore the ABCDE framework would be used to assess Julie. This stands for airways, breathing, circulation, disability and elimination. On admission to A&E staff introduced themselves to Julie and asked her a series of questions about what had happened to which she responded. As she was able to communicate effectively this indicates that her airways are patent. Julie looked extremely pale and short of breath and frequently complained about a feeling of heaviness which radiated from her chest to her left arm. The nurses sat Julie in an upright in order to assess her breathing. The rate of respiration will vary with age and gender. For a healthy adult, respiratory rate of 12-18 breaths per minute is considered to be normal (Blows, 2001). High rates, and especially increasing rates, are markers of illness and a warning that the patient may suddenly deteriorate. Julie’s respiratory rates were recorded to be 21 breaths per minute and regular which can be described as tachypnoea. Julies chest wall appeared to expand equally and symmetrical on each side with each breath taken. Julies SP02 levels which are an estimation of oxygen
However, this approach not only lacks objectivity, but it also fails to acknowledge the abnormal physiology that precedes this breakdown in self-care. For instance, it has been reported that 70% of patients preceding cardio-pulmonary arrest had a physiological decline in respiratory or mental function (Schein et al 1990). Observing deterioration in activities of daily living alone does not accurately mirror underlying physiological deterioration occurring in patients.
Tension Pneumothorax requires immediate attention. A needle or chest tube needs to be inserted into the chest cavity to release the pressure as soon as possible. If an evacuation is going to take a long period of time you may have to do this procedure yourself. That is not recommended though.
British Thoracic Society, (2008), Guideline for Emergency Oxygen Use in Adult Patients, Thorax: an International Journal of the Respiratory Medicine, 63 (6), DOI: 10.1136/thx.2008.102947
Hinkle, Janice, and Kerry Cheever. “Management of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease." Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13th Ed. Philadelphia: Lisa McAllister, 2013. 619-630. Print.
Hess Dean R., M. N. (2012). Respiratory Care: Principles and Practice 12th Edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Respiratory assessment is a significant aspect of nursing practice. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, respiratory rate is the best indicator of an ill patient and it is the first observation that will demonstrate a problem or deterioration in condition (Philip, Richardson, & Cohen, 2013). When a respiratory assessment performed effectively on a patient, it can result in upholding patient’s comfort and independence in progress of symptom management. Studies have acknowledged that in spite of the importance of the respiratory rate (RR) it is documented rarely than the other vital signs in the hospital settings (Parkes, 2011). This essay will highlight the importance of respiratory assessment and discuss why nurses
...o those patients with chest pain, in order to maintain oxygen saturations as close to 100%, unknowingly realizing that the patient is being exposed to significant periods of hyperoxia (Moradkham & Sinoway, 2010 ). It has been suggested that this is due to poor monitoring skills by health professionals. (Moradkham & Sinoway, 2010 ). From reading this essay it is clear that there is a high demand and need of further clinical research into the effectiveness of oxygen in the client with chest pain. More research also has to be conducted in order for the health professionals to fully understand what oxygen does to the body. Through completing and implementing more updated and reviewed evidence and research on the effect of oxygen on the client with chest pain, a better practice can be put in place to ensure the patient is receiving the best care to save their life.
Nursing Diagnosis I for Patient R.M. is ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions. This is evidenced by a weak unproductive cough and by both objective and subjective data. Objective data includes diagnosis of pneumonia, functional decline, and dyspnea. Subjective data include the patient’s complaints of feeling short of breath, even with assistance with basic ADLs. This is a crucial nursing diagnosis as pneumonia is a serious condition that is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of death from infectious diseases (Lemon, & Burke, 2011). It is vital to keep the airway clear of the mucus that may be produced from the inflammatory response of pneumonia. This care plan is increasingly important because of R.M.'s state of functional decline; he is unable to perform ADL and to elicit a strong cough by himself due to his slouched posture. Respiratory infections and in this case, pneumonia, will further impair the airway (Lemon, & Burke, 2011). Because of the combination of pneumonia and R.M's other diagnoses of lifelong asthma, it is imperative that the nursing care plan of ineffective airway clearance be carried out. The first goal of this care plan was to have the patient breathe deeply and cough to remove secretions. It is important that the nurse help the patient deep breathe in an upright position; this is the best position for chest expansion, which promotes expansion and ventilation of all lung fields (Sparks and Taylor, 2011). It is also important the nurse teach the patient an easily performed cough technique and help mobilize the patient with ADL's. This helps the patient learn to cough and clear their airways without fatigue (Sparks a...