CASE STUDY: ENDOCRINE
Answer all questions. Each response is worth 2 points. Cite sources in APA format.
Patient Profile
J.S. is a 58-year-old female brought to the emergency department (ED) at 7:00 am by her husband because when she got up this morning she was light-headed, confused, and so weak that she could not dress herself. J.S.’s husband immediately drove her to the ED in her pajamas. She has a history of rheumatoid arthritis and had been taking prednisone 10 mg daily.
Subjective Data
Husband states that J.S. hasn’t been feeling good, has been tired, and has had very little appetite
Husband states he lost his job a couple of months ago and J.S. stopped taking her medication a couple of weeks ago because they could not afford it because they no longer had health insurance
J.S. denies a headache or blurred vision
Objective Data
Physical Examination
Temperature 98.7° F, pulse 94, respirations 20, blood pressure 100/60
No difficulty speaking
Oriented to name only
Poor skin turgor
Dry mucous membranes
Weakness in bilateral upper and lower extremities
Diagnostic Studies
Lab values
Glucose 68 mg/dL
Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
Sodium 130.0 mEq/L
Potassium 5.5 mEq/L
HCO3 25.4 mEq/L
Chloride 93.5 mEq/L
Cortisol 4 mcg/dL (normal 8:00 am level is 5-23 mcg/dL)
Discussion Questions
Interpret J.S.’s laboratory results and describe their significance.
Based on the assessment what is the most likely problem (think medical diagnosis)? List other assessment findings to confirm this diagnosis.
Analyze the likely cause of J.S.’s diagnosis, would this be considered a primary or secondary cause? Explain.
Outline the treatment and nursing care for J.S.
Devise a teaching plan to include patient teaching regarding prednisone administration and ways to assist with increased medication compliance.
Apply to professional nursing practice. Add sources or peer reviewed information to add validity to your post. Remember APA format for referencing and sources or peer reviewed information to add validity to your post. All sources must be 2019 or newer.
