Eight-year-old Joe has been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. His treatment plan includes placement of an implanted central venous catheter and multiple administrations of chemotherapy. Joe says, “NO! I don’t want to be stuck with needles all the time!” What would you tell Joe to decrease his anxiety? How would you explain the way chemotherapy works to Joe and his parents? What would include when educating the parent on potential side effects and adverse reactions of chemotherapy?
You are a nurse working for a public health agency. You have been asked to give a talk to the local rotary club about infectious diseases. In your presentation, you are going to include information about the treatment of these diseases. In discussing the role of antibiotics in the treatment of infectious diseases, you would include definitions of bactericidal and bacteriostatic. What are these definitions? What drugs are used for bacterial infections? How is this different than treatment for viral infections?
A 65-year-old woman has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She calls the clinic and asks if she and her family can come in and have someone talk to them about the disease. The nurse sets aside time for this patient and her family. In teaching this family about Alzheimer’s disease, what are the major points she should convey to them? (Include education, medications, prevention for other family members)
The parents of a 14-year-old girl come to the emergency department after being notified by the school nurse that their daughter had a “spell” during gym class and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. When they arrive, their daughter is sitting up on the stretcher, has oxygen on at 2 L/min, and is answering questions asked by the nurse. The doctor talks to the family and tells them that he suspects their daughter has asthma. What diagnostic tests would the nurse expect to be ordered to confirm the diagnosis of asthma? The parents mention that their daughter values her independence. They want to know how her treatment plan will impact her values. How would the nurse correctly respond?
A 17-year-old male is brought to the ED by ambulance, after a diving accident. On physical exam, the physician notes paralysis of the lower extremities and suspects a spinal cord injury. What confirmatory tests would the nurse expect to be ordered? When the patient’s tests come back positive for a T8 SCI, what treatment options are available for this patient? What complications should the nursing staff watch out for? What will the nurse include in patient/family teaching for this client?
