Create a concept map using information from this case study:
M.S., a 72-year-old white woman, comes to your clinic for a complete
physical examination. She has not been to a provider for 11 years
because “I don’t like doctors.” Her only complaint today is “pain in my
upper back.”
She describes the pain as sharp and knifelike. The pain began
approximately three weeks ago when she was getting out of bed in the
morning and hasn’t changed. M.S. rates her pain as 6 on a 0- to 10-point
pain scale and says the pain decreases to 3 or 4 after taking “a couple
of ibuprofen.” She denies recent falls or trauma.
M.S. admits she needs to quit smoking and start exercising but
states, “I don’t have the energy to exercise, and besides, I’ve always
been thin.” She has smoked one to two packs of cigarettes per day since
she was 17 years old. Her last blood work was 11 years ago, and she
can’t remember the results. She went through menopause at the age of 47
and has never taken hormone replacement therapy. The physical exam was
unremarkable other than moderate tenderness to deep palpation over the
spinous process at T7. No masses or tenderness to the tissue surrounded
the tender spot. No visible masses, skin changes, or erythema were
noted. Her neurologic exam is intact, and no muscle wasting is noted.
M.S. has never had an osteoporosis screening. She confides that her
mother and grandmother were diagnosed with osteoporosis when they were
in their early 50s.
Include answers to the following questions in your concept map:
What is the priority concept of this scenario?
Write a summary of the pathophysiology if appropriate.
What assessment findings led you to identify this priority problem? Are there other concerns based on your assessment of M.S.?
What is your priority problem?
Based on your knowledge of the nursing process so far, what goals would you recommend in the plan of care for M.S?
What interventions will help M.S. meet these goals?
How would you evaluate your plan of care to determine the next steps?
Remember: This is your first attempt at creating a
concept map using all phases of the nursing process. Focus on choices
based on evidence and being able to support your decisions.
