Case Scenario:
A 64-year-old patient, K.N., who is unemployed, comes in to see a new primary care provider with complaints of "acute gallbladder attacks" consisting of severe pain in their right upper quadrant, which worsens with food intake. As the RN reviewing the patient's medical history, you note that K.N. states she had a serious kidney infection at the age of 10 years, severe anemia, dysmenorrhea, fibromyalgia, and multiple medication and food allergies. Most recently, K.N. underwent surgical repair for carpal tunnel syndrome and was also seen by their last primary care physician for workup of a possible gastric ulcer. K.N. is one of six siblings, and their mother died suddenly from unknown causes when the patient was 7 years old. Today K.N. tells you she is so very sick from their gallbladder that they believe there is no recourse but to have it removed, hence this visit to the primary care provider, who K.N. hears is "very good about getting to the bottom of things." K.N. goes on to tell you that although they don't really want more surgery, they can't see how it can be avoided; moreover, they'd like to have their gallbladder removed in the next week or two because they're scheduled for a hysterectomy in 1 month. K.N. believes it's important to deal with the gallbladder first so they will have less pain, better nutrition, and hence improved healing after the hysterectomy. There are no lab values or computed tomography results that support the patient's assertion of an "acute gallbladder attack." K.N. also states that medication is not a viable option in treatment because they do not tolerate medications well.
a. What assessments should the nurse ensure are included when assisting this patient? Need Assignment Help?
b. What recovery-oriented treatment strategies are important to use with this patient?