Joe Barker, a 65-year-old patient, presents from doing work roofing on a 100 degree day with 100% humidity to the emergency department with the diagnosis of heat stroke. The patient has the following vital signs: temperature, 104 degrees, blood pressure, 84/72 mm HG; heart rate, 110 bpm, respiratory rate, 20 breaths/min. The patient is hot, anhidrosis, confused to place and time, and drowsy.
a. What emergent management should the nurse antcipate for the
paqtient?
b. What patient education should the nurse provide once the patient
is stable?
Answer: According to the case study, the nurse anticipate that patient is having breathing problem along with high fever, increased heart rate. These symptoms can be of lung infection or high count of white blood cells. As soon as possible the patient's blood sample and X-Ray should be done. A complete blood count should be done to check about the further problems and symptoms. The patient should be kept on ventilation(oxygen mask) so that he can breathe properly.
Nurse should advise the patient to take care of himself by avoiding cold things and should avoid the temprature differences. He should not take the stress and should be in a relaxed posture. As he feels weakness so he should not talk too much.
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