Posted: August 29th, 2022

Patient Assessment Discussion Questions

A patient calls out on the call system and requests pain medication. We know that a patient is to rate their pain on a scale. If the pain is unrelated to the admission diagnosis, what steps will you take in providing a proper assessment?

You walk into a patient’s room and find him unconscious because he does not greet you when you walk in. What are some of your initial assessment techniques that need to be employed and why?

You just reviewed the morning laboratory report for a patient in critical care. You noted that the potassium level is 6.5 mEq/L. What are areas you need to be assessing the patient to monitor for complications from hyperkalemia? Explain your approach in a head to toe assessment.

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Patient Assessment Discussion Questions

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Patient Assessment Discussion Questions

Question One
Patients should not request pain medication if it is not related to the admission diagnosis. The best approach to the situation is to ask the patient to provide more information about their condition. Nurses are bound by the law to ensure they use professional knowledge to provide good care to patients and avoid harm. It is important to assess the patient, perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests. The information will provide additional details on whether pain medication is necessary or not. Physical examination and diagnosis are essential since some patients can abuse pain medications. Diagnostics tests are essential in determining the cause and severity of the pain. The information is important in identifying the best pain medication.
A medical history of the patient is necessary to determine if they have suffered similar pain in the past. The summary of the medical history should include allergies. Information about allergies can determine the type of medication a nurse will prescribe for a patient. For instance, if the patient is already taking other medications, it will be important to evaluate if they effectively address the pain.
It is important to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to determine if the patient should receive pain medication. For instance, a physician will be in a good position to determine if pain medication is necessary. The reason is that before prescribing pain medication, it is necessary to address the cause of the pain. The cause could be a wound or complications related to the primary diagnosis. The information is essential in determining if the patient should receive pain medication. The precautions are necessary to ensure patients do not receive medication without following the due procedure.

Question Two
American Heart Association recommends checking the pulse, airway patterns, and airway potency. Patients with a pulse and airway potency will require a neurological assessment. The assessment techniques should involve checking the consciousness level by examining the alert, response to verbal and pain stimuli, or negative answer. It is important to ensure the permeability of the airway. Write a word essay – Evaluate the airway and vacuum the mouth if necessary. Check the airway and place an oropharyngeal cannula to avoid blockage of the airway. Maintaining a clear airway will promote breathing and avoid suffocation when the tongue blocks the airway.
The next step is to examine the level of consciousness using the Glasgow coma score. It is essential to examine the pattern of breathing since it correlates with the level of the lesion. Examine the pupillary responses to determine the size, reactivity to light, and asymmetry. Another technique is to check the eye movements and oculovestibular responses. Strong light should be used since pupillary responses can be sluggish for unconscious patients. An examination of both eyes will provide additional information about the cranial nerves. III, IV, V, and VIII.
The examination of the muscle tone is essential in examining motor function. Another important step is neuroimaging, which is crucial in determining the consciousness of patients. A nurse should perform a Computed tomographic (CT) scan to determine crucial findings, including edema, herniation, and hemorrhage. Lab testing for blood count and serum testing is crucial for unconscious steps. Lumbar puncture is the last step if a cerebral infection is suspected. The tests should be carried out immediately and appropriate treatment procedures initiated.
Question Three
The normal potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L. A patient with 6.5 mEq/L shows an increased risk of heart complications. The assessment should examine various areas that will determine if the patient is suffering from hyperkalemia. The assessment should start by examining the breathing system. Patients can experience shortness of breath and a feeling of suffocation. Shortness of breath is because high levels of potassium affect the muscles controlling the breathing system. It is important to assess the patient’s ability to breathe and determine if they are struggling to achieve normal breathing patterns.
The condition affects the digestive system. It causes nausea, vomiting, loose stools, and stomach pain. In some cases, patients can experience diarrhea. The effects on the digestive system can demonstrate that the central nervous system is not functioning effectively.
The heart is another area to check to determine the condition of the heart rhythms. Some of the complications include abnormal heart rhythms or heart palpitations. It affects the heart muscles leading to chest pain, heart failure, and heart palpitations. Chest pressure can radiate in the arms and neck. Some patients can experience a heart attack if the condition is left untreated for long.
The assessment should involve an examination of the musculoskeletal research paper writers system. The reason is that high potassium levels in the blood cause muscle weaknesses, feeling dull and exhausted. For instance, a patient will complain that they can hardly walk or lift basic objects.
High potassium levels affect the central nervous system. The effect causes numbness and tingling, especially while sitting with the legs crossed. Numbness and tingling show that the nervous system is not functioning properly. High levels of potassium can lead to paralysis.

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