Ability To Critically Analyse And Evaluate Patients

Aim:To develop your ability to critically analyse and evaluate patients presenting with complex health alterations,and present differential diagnoses and an interdisciplinary management plan.

Task Description:

Select one of the presented case studies: 

• Prioritisethe clinicalassessment required for this patient (500 words).
• Critically analyse the patient data and discuss the relevant differential diagnoses (500 words). 
• Constructan interdisciplinary management planfor your final diagnosis (500 words).
• Critically evaluate the management plan (300 words)
• Write an introduction and conclusion,and 

Use the literature (references) to justify all responses

Introduction: 

Diseases have a significant impact on patients and often bring about complex alterations in their health status. This essay is based on case study one, which reflects complex alterations in the health condition of the patient due to respiratory illness. The aim of this essay is to critically analyse and evaluate the patient, provide a differential diagnosis based on presenting symptoms, and develop an interdisciplinary management plan for the condition along with an evaluation of the plan. For clinical assessments, critical analysis and evaluation of the patient’s condition are essential. The prioritisation of clinical assessments helps to assess the immediate need for care in acute patients and for immediate clinical decision making (Lake, Moss, & Duke, 2009). The differential diagnosis of the condition can be formed on the basis of critical evaluation of the patient which further guides for the development of interdisciplinary management plan, to provide comprehensive, and holistic care to the patient.  

Nursing assessment: 

Nursing assessment is an essential component in providing care to patients with complex disease conditions. In case study one, the patient is suffering from respiratory illness. The clinical assessments in the study include an examination of vitals, detailed examination of neurology, respiratory and circulatory systems, arterial blood gas investigation, ECG, chest radiograph and spirometry. In nursing practice, surveillance of patients is important for early recognition of deterioration in condition and for prompt clinical decision. By keeping a close watch on vitals, the effect of ongoing therapy can be examined, and appropriate treatment changes can be made when necessary (Elliott & Coventry, 2012). The evaluation of the respiratory system involves detailed pulmonary examination. Inspection of the chest can reveal signs of respiratory distress such as the use of accessory muscles, tachypnea, and irregular breathing patterns. Palpation of the chest reveals tracheal placements, vocal fremitus, etc. while percussion reveals any dullness of chest areas due to effusion or consolidation. Auscultation of chest may reveal abnormal breath sounds, due to underlying pathologies. Investigations of the respiratory system include blood tests, sputum examination, chest radiograph, spirometry, etc. (Springer, 2016). The evaluation of the respiratory system involves a detailed evaluation of heart functions. It includes observation of the colour of extremities, auscultation of heart sounds, palpation of peripheral pulses, and jugular venous pressure. Electrocardiogram helps in showing any abnormalities of cardiac functions (Resuscitation Council (UK), 2015). Arterial blood gas exam helps in determining the alveolar ventilation (Danckers & Fried, 2016).  Neurological examination includes assessing the level of consciousness using the Glasgow coma scale, verbal and pain stimulation, and pupillary reflexes. This examination helps in identifying the level of consciousness in patients for taking acute clinical decisions such as intubation, providing CPR and resuscitation interventions (Resuscitation Council (UK), 2015).