Assignment 2 Practicum Journal Entry Reflect On A Patient Wh
Assignment 2 Practicum Journal Entryreflect On A Patient Who Presen
Describe a patient who presented with a cardiovascular, neurologic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal disorder during your practicum experience. Include the patient’s personal and medical history, drug therapy and treatments, and follow-up care. Explain how the patient’s gender might have impacted or influenced her care. If you did not evaluate such a patient during the past 10 weeks, you may choose a related case study from a reputable source or reflect on previous clinical experiences.
Paper For Above instruction
During my recent practicum experience, I had the opportunity to work with a patient diagnosed with a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), which falls under the neurologic disorder category. This case offered valuable insights into the management of stroke patients, including considerations related to medical history, pharmacological interventions, follow-up care, and the influence of gender on treatment outcomes.
The patient's personal and medical history revealed that she was a 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. She was a retired teacher with a sedentary lifestyle, a history of smoking (quit five years ago), and a family history of cardiovascular disease. Her medical history was significant, as these comorbidities increased her risk for cerebrovascular accidents. She reported episodes of episodic headaches and occasional dizziness over the past year, which were often attributed to her hypertension. She was compliant with her antihypertensive medications but had inconsistent use of her anticoagulant therapy, which was prescribed for her atrial fibrillation.
The patient’s drug therapy at presentation included antihypertensive agents (amlodipine and enalapril) and warfarin, an anticoagulant. She was treated emergently with thrombolytic therapy after presenting to the emergency department within the therapeutic window. This intervention aimed to dissolve the clot causing ischemia in the brain. Post-acute management involved adjusting her anticoagulation therapy to maintain therapeutic INR levels and prevent future strokes, alongside antihypertensive treatment to control her blood pressure more effectively.
Follow-up care for this patient included physical and occupational therapy to address motor deficits and speech therapy for language impairments resulting from the stroke. She was also enrolled in a secondary prevention program emphasizing blood pressure control, medication adherence, lifestyle modifications (such as diet and exercise), and smoking cessation support. Regular neurological assessments and imaging studies were scheduled to monitor her recovery and prevent recurrence.
Gender significantly influenced the care and outcomes for this patient. Research indicates that women tend to experience strokes at an older age and often have worse outcomes compared to men. Hormonal differences, particularly the decline in estrogen levels post-menopause, may contribute to increased vascular vulnerability in women. Additionally, women are less likely to receive aggressive interventions or be enrolled in clinical trials, which can impact the quality of care received. In this patient's case, her gender may have influenced her risk perception, healthcare-seeking behavior, and the responsiveness to various therapies. Recognizing these gender-based factors is essential in tailoring treatment plans and ensuring equitable healthcare delivery.
In conclusion, managing stroke patients requires an integrated understanding of individual medical histories, treatments, and social factors, including gender. This case highlighted the importance of comprehensive care, from acute interventions to long-term management, to optimize recovery and reduce the risk of future cerebrovascular events. It also underscored the need for healthcare providers to consider gender differences when developing personalized treatment plans to improve outcomes for all patients.
References
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