Assignment: Nursing Case Study
Case Study 1
Mr. Smith is a 51-year-old male who has been diagnosed with idiopathic hypertension. He smokes 2 packs of cigarettes a day and is 35 pounds overweight. He had open-heart surgery last year with a full recovery. Both his mother and father have a medical history of hypertension. The doctor prescribes a angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medication called lisinopril (Prinivil) twice a day.
1. Explain how this classification of antihypertensive drugs reduces blood pressure? Why is this drug appropriate for Mr. Smith? Explain.
2. Why should Mr. Smith have his potassium level drawn periodically while he is receiving an ACE drug? Explain. What is considered a normal serum potassium level? Mr. Smith's last potassium level was 4.3 mEq/L. Will he be able to continue the medication as prescribed by his physician?
3. What are the side effects most commonly associated with this drug?
Case Study 2
The patient comes to the emergency room complaining of chest and left shoulder pain. The patient relates to the nurse that the pain is intense and that she "feels like an elephant is standing on her chest." The patient's vital signs are as follows: BP 168/108, HR 90, R 24, and temperature 99.8F. The nurse gives nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) one tablet sublingual every 5 minutes for three doses as prescribed by the physician. After the first tablet the patient reports her pain is resolved.
1. The patient was given the medication by the sublingual route versus the oral route for what reason? Explain.
2. The patient's husband is very anxious and asks the nurse, "How long will this medication take to work?" What is the best answer by the nurse? Discuss the mechanism of action of nitrate drugs. Be specific.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.