CLINICAL DRUG THERAPY.
BOOK IS CLINICAL DRUG THERAPY RATIONALES FOR NURSING PRACTICE 9TH EDITION
A nursing case study paper contains several sections that fall into three categories:
1. The status of the patient
Demographic data
Medical History
Current diagnosis and treatment
2. The nursing assessment of the patient
Vital signs and test results
Nursing observations (i.e., range of motion, mental state)
3. Current Care Plan and Recommendations
Details of the nursing care plan (including nursing goals and interventions)
Evaluation of the current care plan
Recommendations for changes of the current care plan
Patient Status
The first portion of the case study paper will talk about the patient — who they are, why they are being included in
the study, their demographic data (i.e., age, race), the reason(s) they sought medical attention and the subsequent
diagnosis. It will also discuss the role that nursing plays in the care of this patient.
Next, fully discuss any disease process. Make sure you outline causes, symptoms, observations and how preferred
treatments can affect nursing care. Also describe the history and progression of the disease. Some important
questions for you to answer are: 1) What were the first indications that there was something wrong, and 2) What
symptoms convinced the patient to seek help?
When you are discussing the nursing assessment of the patient describe the patient’s problems in terms of nursing
diagnoses. Be specific as to why you have identified a particular diagnosis. For example, is frequent urination
causing an alteration in the patient’s sleep patterns? The nursing diagnoses you identify in your assessment will
help form the nursing care plan.
Current Care Plan and Recommendations for Improvement
Describe the nursing care plan and goals, and explain how the nursing care plan improves the quality of the patient’s
life. What positive changes does the nursing care plan hope to achieve in the patient’s life? How will the care plan
be executed? Who will be responsible for the delivery of the care plan? What measurable goals will they track to
determine the success of the plan?
The final discussion should be your personal recommendations. Based on the current status of the patient, the
diagnosis, prognosis and the nursing care plan, what other actions do you recommend can be taken to improve the
patient’s chances of recovery?
case study
Imra Nandi is a 56-year-old patient who has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of septic
shock. Her blood pressure is 76/42, her heart rate is 126, her skin is hot and dry to touch, and her temperature is
103.6°F. She has a peripheral IV line in her left forearm. The physician has just inserted a pulmonary artery
catheter. The catheter has two additional ports for fluid or medication administration. The nurse is preparing to
begin a continuous IV infusion of norepinephrine.
1. What factors should be considered, and treated if necessary, before the administration of norepinephrine?
2. Discuss the appropriate nursing assessments and considerations related to the administration of the
norepinephrine.
