Case Study Mrs. Holman Normal or Abnormal? Mrs. Holman, age 84, is…
Question Answered step-by-step Case Study Mrs. Holman Normal or Abnormal? Mrs. Holman, age 84, is… Case Study Mrs. Holman Normal or Abnormal?Mrs. Holman, age 84, is a regular at the senior center. On Fridays, nurses from ABC HomeHealth Agency visit the senior center to take blood pressures and chat with center members. Mrs.Holman has had her blood pressure taken many times but this time, she tells the nurses that she isdizzy lately. Upon further inquiry, this has led to her eat less and stay at home more than usual.Mrs. Holman tells the nurses that ‘it doesn’t matter’ as she is sure that this is just a temporaryproblem.Concerned, in addition to the blood pressure, Amy M., RN takes Mrs. Holman’s weight anddiscovers a noticeable 10% weight loss over the last 3 months and prompts Amy to ask morequestions. Enquiring more, Mrs. H reports that she is no longer taking her cardiac medicationsand since her social security check does not last through the month and “I just don’t feel good”.Probing further, Amy determines that Mrs. H is probably a bit dehydrated and there is an audiblewheeze. Concerned, she encourages Mrs. H to make an appointment with her doctor ‘just to besure’ everything is fine. Reluctantly, Mrs. H agrees but states ‘there is nothing he (the doctor)can do for me. I am old and wearing out.’ Amy helps Mrs. H make an appointment and says sheawaits her return to the senior center soon.Discussion Questions:1. Identify normal age-related signs of aging.2. Explain why weights can indicate decline in an older adult.3. Identify social concerns raised in this case study.4. What should Amy do next, if anything?Three weeks later, Mrs. Holman returns to the senior center. A bit frailer, she tells Amy that her’ticker’ is just not working like it used to. Weepy, she starts to cry and pours her emotions out toAmy and her few close friends. She tells her that she is on new and more expensive medicationsthat are making her nauseous. In addition, there are no family members living close by. As adevout Catholic, she prays to find a solution to her decline but looks Amy squarely in the faceand asks ‘am I going to die’? Shocked, Amy gathers her composure and they start to talk openly.Discussion Questions (cont’d):5. What should Amy do in response to Mrs. Holman’s question?6. Identify the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of quality of life that may bedistressing Mrs. Holman.7. How does this scenario play into the need to palliative care? Health Science Science Nursing BIOL 102-91-17S Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)
