Question

Nelson Carson is a 62-year-old man who presents to his private practitioner’s office with a hacking, raspy cough. Subjective Data PMH: HTN, CAD Cough is productive, bringing up green, thick phlegm Runny nose, sore throat No history of smoking or seasonal allergies Complains of fatigue Objective Data Vital signs: T 37 P 72 R 14 BP 134/64 Lungs: + Rhonchi bilateral upper lobes, wheezes O2 Sat = 98% Medications: Metoprolol 25 mg per day, ASA 325 mg/daily What other questions should the nurse ask about the cough? What nursing diagnoses can be derived from the data? What should be included in the plan of care? What risk factors are associated with this age group? Based on the readings, what is the most likely cause of cough for this patient?

Answer 1

The nurse can raise questions

• How long he is hypertensive
• Since when he was started in metoprolol(cough is a side effect)
• Did he have fever ,weight loss,anorexia( to rule infection)
• Since when he is spitting green phlegm ( bacterial infection)

#Nursing diagnosis

Ineffective airway clearance related to congestion as evidenced by spitting phlegm

Ineffective breathing pattern related to thick phlegm as evidenced by wheeze

#plan of care

• Administer antibiotics as.Per order
• Check the dosage level of metoprolol
• Nebulization can thin the thickened phlegm
• Sputum Culture test as per order
• Increase plenty of liquid in diet
• Exercise
• Propped up position

#Risk factors

• Age
• Medical conditions
• Medication
• Low immunity
• Getting easily lung infection

The cough could be because of severe lung infection