Reference no: EM133289913
Assignment:
Occupational injury clinical scenario:
A female patient arrives at the Emergency Department of your hospital accompanied by a co-worker after a fall from a height of approximately 25 feet. It was reported by her co-worker that your patient is a professional forestry worker with 5 years experience and where a routine part of her job is clearing, pruning and trimming branches from trees after severe weather events. This often requires work at great heights. Her co-worker indicated that your patient's "back and head struck several branches on the way down" and that she landed prone-facing, with a heavy chainsaw still attached to her harness.
She did not lose consciousness but seemed very confused, groggy and complained of pain and weakness in her left leg and left arm accompanied by blurred vision which made it impossible for her to drive. The patient also complained of severe 'headache-type pain', indicating that she had a history of chronic headaches that began about 2 years ago which have since increased in frequency and severity. Her co-worker indicated that the patient had been on a waiting list to see a neurologist for several weeks and had a scheduled consultation appointment in two months time.
The intake nurse records the following details in the patient's chart:
female
28 years old
130 lbs
Occupation: Professional forester
No history of hospitalization; No history of broken bones or falls; No history of other significant illness.
Recent history of chronic headaches and several episodes of syncope in the past year
Current Medications:
Tylenol 325mg PRN (as required)
Upon physical assessment, the nurse records the following findings:
-Visible erythema and pain on palpation (8/10) in the area superficial to left lumbar region (L3-L5) and left lateral gluteal region
-Limited ROM and weakness with pain for all movements of the left hip
-Pronounced edema and pain (8/10) on palpation of the left temporal and occipital regions
-Superficial laceration with minor bleeding of the left auricle
-Unable to weight bear on left lower limb
-Intermittent pain radiating into the left femoral, popliteal and sural areas
Please answer the following questions as they relate to this scenario: The scenario questions base on chapter for Nervous system. Please include in text citations and references in" APA format" to support answers.
(Please provide in-text citations and references in" APA format" to support your answers)
1. Using your cumulative knowledge of anatomy and physiology, which organ systems and specific structures may have experienced a disruption to homeostasis from the fall? Why?
2. If you believe it is possible, how might homeostasis of the systems/structures mentioned in #1 be restored?
3. What are some additional neurological considerations given this patient's health history? Why are these concerns important with respect to this patient's accident?