Patient’s health needs

HH is a 68 yo M who has been admitted to the medical ward with community-acquired pneumonia for the past 3 days. His PMH is significant for COPD, HTN, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. He remains on empiric antibiotics, which include ceftriaxone 1 g IV qday (day 3) and azithromycin 500 mg IV qday (day 3). Since admission, his clinical status has improved, with decreased oxygen requirements. He is not tolerating a diet at this time with complaints of nausea and vomiting.
Ht: 5’8” Wt: 89 kg

Allergies: Penicillin (rash)

To Prepare
Review the Resources for this module and reflect on the different health needs and body systems presented.
Your Instructor will assign you a complex case study to focus on for this Discussion.
Consider how you will practice critical decision-making for prescribing appropriate drugs and treatment to address the complex patient health needs in the patient case study you selected.

Consider how you will practice critical decision making for prescribing appropriate drugs and treatment to address the complex patient health needs in the patient case study you selected.

Post a brief description of your patient’s health needs from the patient case study you assigned. Be specific. Then, explain the type of treatment regimen you would recommend for treating your patient, including the choice or pharmacotherapeutics you would recommend and explain why. Be sure to justify your response. Explain a patient education strategy you might recommend for assisting your patient with the management of their health needs. Be specific and provide examples.

Full Answer Section Based on the patient's health needs, I would recommend the following treatment regimen:
  • Continue with the current antibiotics, ceftriaxone and azithromycin.
  • Start on an antiemetic, such as ondansetron or metoclopramide.
  • Monitor the patient's nutritional status and provide nutritional support as needed.
  • Educate the patient about the importance of completing the antibiotic course and managing his underlying medical conditions.
I would justify my recommendations as follows:
  • The current antibiotics are effective against the most common pathogens that cause community-acquired pneumonia.
  • The antiemetic will help to control the patient's nausea and vomiting, so that he can start tolerating a diet.
  • Nutritional support is important to help the patient recover from his pneumonia.
  • Education about the importance of completing the antibiotic course and managing his underlying medical conditions will help to ensure that the patient has a good outcome.
Here are some patient education strategies that I might recommend:
  • Explain to the patient why it is important to complete the antibiotic course, even if he starts to feel better.
  • Provide the patient with written instructions about how to take his medications.
  • Teach the patient about the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to antibiotics.
  • Encourage the patient to follow up with his doctor after discharge to ensure that he is recovering well.
I believe that these recommendations will help to address the patient's complex health needs and promote a good outcome.
Sample Answer here is a brief description of the patient's health needs from the case study I was assigned:
  • HH is a 68-year-old man with a history of COPD, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. He is currently being treated for community-acquired pneumonia.
  • His clinical status has improved since admission, but he is still not tolerating a diet and is complaining of nausea and vomiting.
  • He is allergic to penicillin.