Read The Profiles Of The Patients Provided And Determine Whi
Read The Profiles Of The Patients Provided And Determine Which Patient
Read the profiles of the patients provided and determine which patient is at greatest risk of infection. Explain why this patient's risk is highest and provide 3 nursing interventions aimed at reducing the patient's infection risk based upon their specific risk factors. Patient A : A 53-year-old woman who takes prednisone daily for lupus. She is admitted to the hospital for routine post-op care following a routine hysterectomy. Her surgery was laparoscopic. Patient B : A 78-year-old man who takes Lipitor for high cholesterol. He was admitted to the hospital 2 days ago with cellulitis and has been on intravenous antibiotics for 24 hours. His condition is improving. Patient C : A 44-year-old man who takes metformin for type II diabetes. He was hospitalized for an exacerbation of asthma eight hours ago. He is being given high dose steroids and oxygen to help his breathing.
Paper For Above instruction
The assessment of infection risk among hospitalized patients requires a thorough understanding of each patient’s medical history, current treatment regimen, and hospital stay context. Analyzing the three presented cases, Patient A, Patient B, and Patient C, reveals unique risk factors influencing their likelihood of developing infections. Among these patients, Patient A, a 53-year-old woman on chronic prednisone therapy for lupus undergoing postoperative care following a laparoscopic hysterectomy, is at the greatest risk of infection. This conclusion is based on her immunosuppressive medication, recent surgical intervention, and underlying autoimmune condition, all of which increase her susceptibility to infections.
Prednisone, a corticosteroid, suppresses the immune response by reducing inflammation and impairing phagocyte function, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine production. While beneficial for managing autoimmune diseases like lupus, chronic steroid use significantly compromises the body’s ability to respond effectively to pathogens (Gonçalves et al., 2018). Postoperative patients are inherently at increased risk of infection due to surgical wound exposure, potential for bacterial contamination, and impaired tissue healing. Even though her surgery was laparoscopic, which generally involves smaller incisions and lower infection risk than open procedures, the immunosuppressive effects of prednisone negate these advantages, elevating her risk profile.
In contrast, Patient B, a 78-year-old man hospitalized with cellulitis—an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues—is actively managing an infection, and his risk of developing new infections is decreasing as his condition improves with antibiotic therapy. His age and comorbidities pose inherent risks; however, his current clinical course suggests that the infection is already diagnosed and being effectively treated. Patient C, a 44-year-old man hospitalized with an asthma exacerbation and receiving high-dose steroids and oxygen, is temporarily immunosuppressed, which could predispose him to infection. Nevertheless, his relatively younger age and the short duration since hospitalization (eight hours) indicate a comparatively lower immediate risk than Patient A.
Given the above considerations, Patient A’s chronic immunosuppression combined with recent surgical trauma places her at the highest risk of developing postoperative infections, such as surgical site infections, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections, which can lead to significant morbidity if not proactively prevented.
Based on her high-risk profile, three nursing interventions are recommended to minimize her infection risk:
1. Strict Aseptic Technique in Wound and Intravenous Care: Ensuring all percutaneous and wound care procedures adhere to strict aseptic methods reduces the risk of introducing pathogens. This includes proper hand hygiene, sterilization of equipment, and appropriate dressing changes.
2. Monitoring for Early Signs of Infection: Conducting frequent assessment of the surgical site, vital signs, and laboratory markers (e.g., WBC count) allows timely detection of infections. Nurses should educate the patient to report symptoms such as redness, swelling, fever, or wound discharge promptly.
3. Optimizing Nutrition and Hydration: Adequate nutritional support enhances immune function and tissue healing, decreasing susceptibility to infection. Nutritional assessments should be performed, and dietary modifications or supplements implemented as appropriate.
In summary, patients with compromised immune systems, recent surgical interventions, and ongoing immunosuppressive therapy are at heightened risk of infection. Tailored nursing interventions focusing on aseptic care, early identification of infection, and supportive therapies are crucial in reducing infection incidence and improving patient outcomes.
References
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