Case Study: Shortness of Breath in Elderly Patient Case Study: Shortness of Breath in Elderly Patient S.R. is a 65- year-old woman who presents to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath, productive cough, and swelling in both legs. The patient has a past medical history of congestive heart failure (CHF), hypertension, and diabetes. Vital signs are: T 97.5, P 85, R 16, and BP 160/90. Physical exam reveals +2 edema bilateral lower extremities, heart rate and rhythm regular, lungs with rhonchi in the bases. The patient is started on a nebulizer treatment, and an electrocardiogram has been ordered. 1. What subjective information should the nurse obtain? 2. The nurse is assessing the patients pulses. Which locations should the nurse check? 3. The nurse needs to evaluate the adequacy of the collateral circulation before obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample. How should the nurse proceed? 4. What is the most likely cause of this patients shortness of breath, productive cough, and swelling of both legs? ORDER INSTRUCTIONS-COMPLIANT NURSING PAPERS S.R. is a 65- year-old woman who presents to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath, productive cough, and swelling in both legs. The patient has a past medical history of congestive heart failure (CHF), hypertension, and diabetes. Vital signs are: T 97.5, P 85, R 16, and BP 160/90. Physical exam reveals +2 edema bilateral lower extremities, heart rate and rhythm regular, lungs with rhonchi in the bases. The patient is started on a nebulizer treatment, and an electrocardiogram has been ordered. 1. What subjective information should the nurse obtain? 2. The nurse is assessing the patients pulses. Which locations should the nurse check? 3. The nurse needs to evaluate the adequacy of the collateral circulation before obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample. How should the nurse proceed? 4. What is the most likely cause of this patients shortness of breath, productive cough, and swelling of both legs? Order Now

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Shortness of Breath in Elderly Patient

Introduction

Shortness of breath in the elderly is not a normal feeling. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. Here are some common causes of shortness of breath and what you should do about them:

Heat stroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body has lost its ability to cool itself. It can occur in infants, children and adults who are not taking medications that prevent heatstroke.

Signs of heat stroke include:

• High body temperature (105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher)

• Sweating more than usual

• Blue or gray skin color due to poor blood flow to the skin

Cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. It occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and stops pumping blood to other parts of the body. This can happen for several reasons, including:

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction) – An area of damaged or dead heart muscle

• Heart rhythm disturbance – Problems with the electrical system inside your heart

Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the arteries in the lung that can cause shortness of breath. The most common causes are:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – This is when blood clots form inside a deep vein, usually in your leg or pelvis. These clots can break off and travel to other parts of your body where they may cause trouble. The resulting pain can lead to DVT and pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal if left untreated. If you have symptoms similar to DVT (constant pain, swelling), see your doctor immediately for treatment recommendations!

• Surgery – During surgery on people with cancer who have lost part of their lungs due to disease, it’s possible for a blood clot to form within this space between muscles after surgery ends; this type of occurrence is called post-operative pulmonary embolism (POPE). POPE occurs less often than DVT but still happens at an alarming rate following major surgeries such as hip replacements or kidney transplants; if you experience postoperative pulmonary edema following any type of operation then call 911 immediately so they can evaluate you further before deciding whether further treatment will help eliminate any problems caused by POPE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that causes a narrowing of the airways. It’s the third leading cause of death in the United States, affecting nearly 5 million Americans and costing an estimated $32 billion annually in healthcare costs. COPD can occur at any age, but it’s more common in smokers than nonsmokers.

The symptoms associated with COPD include:

• Shortness of breath at rest or after minor exertion

• Wheezing sounds during breathing that worsen when you cough or sneeze

Anxiety attack

• Anxiety attacks are a symptom of anxiety disorders.

• Anxiety attacks can be triggered by many factors, including stress, worry, and physical injury.

• The most common symptoms of an anxiety attack include: chest pain or discomfort; feeling like you’ve lost control over your breathing; dizziness; feeling like something is choking you; sweating profusely; numbness in the hands or feet (tingling). If these symptoms occur together, they may indicate that someone is having an anxiety attack.

SOB is to be taken very seriously in the elderly. Always call 911 if they are not stable.

Shortness of breath is a serious condition in the elderly. It is also one that can be fatal if left untreated. If you notice shortness of breath in your elderly patient, call 911 immediately because they may need medical attention at this time.

If the patient has an underlying heart disease such as aortic stenosis or coronary artery disease, wait until they are stable before calling 911 or going to their doctor’s office for evaluation and treatment options.

Conclusion

SOB is an emergency and must always be taken very seriously in the elderly. Always call 911 if they are not stable.