RN Health Assessment

Assessment of cardiac status

Esther is a 56-year old black female who is 1-day post-op following a left-radical mastectomy. During morning rounds, the off-going nurse shares with you during bedside report that the patient has been experiencing increased discomfort in her back throughout the night and has required frequent help with repositioning. She states that the patient was medicated for pain approximately 2 hours ago but is voicing little relief and states that you might want to mention that to the doctor when he rounds later this morning. With the patient appearing to be in no visible distress, you proceed on to the next patient’s room for report. Approximately 1 hour later, you return to Ms. Jackson’s room with her morning pills and find her slumped over the bedside stand in tears. THe patient states, “I don’t know what’s wrong, I don’t feel right. My back hurts and I’m just tired. What is wrong with me?” The patient refuses to take her medications at this time stating that she is starting to feel sick to her stomach. Just then the nursing assistant comes into the patient’s room to record Ms. Jackson’s vital signs, you take this opportunity to quickly research the patient’s medication record to determine if she has a medication ordered fo nausea. Upon return, the nursing assistant hands you the following vital signs: T37, R 18, and bp 132/54, but states she couldn’t get the patient’s pulse because “it is all over the place”.

Please answer the following questions:

1. What do you suspect is the cause of the patient’s symptoms?

2. Describe the course of action that you will take to confirm this suspicion and prevent further decline

3. What further assessment, lab values, and tests will likely be ordered for this patient and how often? If testing is to be completed more than once, please explain the rationale for doing so.

4. While you are caring for this patient, how will you ensure that the needs of your other patients are being met?