Reference no: EM133588857
Assignment:
Mrs. Waters is a 73-year-old Caucasian widow. She lives alone and independently, but her daughter pays her a visit twice a week to check on her. She has been a widow for almost 10 years. She has been taking lorazepam for anxiety and poor sleep since her husband's death ten years ago, usually on a dosage of 1mg before bed. However, she increased her dose to 2mg due to worsening sleep quality over the past 2-3 months. Additionally, she sometimes takes lorazepam during the day for anxiety, along with a glass of scotch. In terms of other medications, she is also taking Candesartan and Paroxetine for depression. Her only exercise is to walk around the block every day.
Yesterday morning, Mrs. Waters was walking around her house when she tripped over a throw rug and immediately felt a 'pop' in her right hip as she hit the ground. She was unable to get up and get to the phone so laid on her living room floor for most of the day. Later in the day, her neighbor realized she had not seen Mrs. Waters out for her daily walk so went over to investigate. She looked through the window and saw Mrs. Waters on the floor...tried to get into her house but it was locked so she ended up calling 911 and Mrs. Waters daughter.
Taken to the hospital by ambulance, the ambulance personnel confirmed her right leg to be shortened and laterally rotated, and they transported her to the hospital where an acute intertrochanteric fracture was confirmed. The emergency department physician contacted an orthopedic surgeon, and she was sent directly to OR.
She returns to an inpatient hospital room.
During health history interview prior to surgery, Mrs. Waters daughter mentioned a recent visit to the emergency department (ED) following a motor vehicle accident. She had crashed her car into a tree while driving home. Additionally, she had a fall at home 3 weeks ago, where she tripped on a scatter mat while taking out the garbage, resulting in a sprained wrist. She has been taking ibuprofen for pain relief but she plans a visit with her doctor to request Tylenol with codeine (T3) for further pain management.
The nurse attempted to discuss the use of benzodiazepines and the relationship with falls and accidents. However, the patient expressed surprise, mentioning that this had never been discussed previously.
In a few sentences, state one priority problem, you predict your client may experience during the continuum of care to discharge, transfer, or palliation. Indicate if the problem is actual or potential. Relate the problem to relevant determinants of health.