Red Flags Case Study
Red Flags
The red flags for this case study includes that the patient has been coughing for 4 days. This is a primary red flag because of the length of time the cough has persisted. The nurse reports that the resident has a fever. This implies that the patient’s body is fighting against an infection. Yellow flags include that the patient has a headache and chest discomfort and reports she is achy and has nasal congestion.
Information
Patient is a 78- year-old female, that lives in a nursing home. Her grandchildren and children have been asked not to visit when they have a cold or other contagious conditions.
Systems Review
Cardiovascular/ Pulmonary- Increased heart rate and respiratory rate, increased body temperature; due to the fever.
Integumentary- Skin is hot to touch, possibly flushed, sweaty and may be red; due to the fever.
Neuromuscular- No indication of any neuromuscular impairments.
Musculoskeletal- Strength is weakened and her movement is limited; patient indicates …show more content…
Also pneumonia generally presents after influenza. There is not enough information to assume she has had pneumonia previous to the onset of these current symptoms. Immobilization is also an increased risk factor of pneumonia, which we also do not have evidence of from our case study. (2)
Treatment and Intervention
There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat the influenza illness. They are different from antibiotics, because they fight against viral infections, whereas antibiotics fight against bacterial infections. However, antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense to treat the flu if you get sick. In addition to taking antiviral drugs to fight the flu, the patient should also be on bed rest. (3)
The red flags for this case study includes that the patient has been coughing for 4 days. This is a primary red flag because of the length of time the cough has persisted. The nurse reports that the resident has a fever. This implies that the patient’s body is fighting against an infection. Yellow flags include that the patient has a headache and chest discomfort and reports she is achy and has nasal congestion.
Information
Patient is a 78- year-old female, that lives in a nursing home. Her grandchildren and children have been asked not to visit when they have a cold or other contagious conditions.
Systems Review
Cardiovascular/ Pulmonary- Increased heart rate and respiratory rate, increased body temperature; due to the fever.
Integumentary- Skin is hot to touch, possibly flushed, sweaty and may be red; due to the fever.
Neuromuscular- No indication of any neuromuscular impairments.
Musculoskeletal- Strength is weakened and her movement is limited; patient indicates …show more content…
Also pneumonia generally presents after influenza. There is not enough information to assume she has had pneumonia previous to the onset of these current symptoms. Immobilization is also an increased risk factor of pneumonia, which we also do not have evidence of from our case study. (2)
Treatment and Intervention
There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat the influenza illness. They are different from antibiotics, because they fight against viral infections, whereas antibiotics fight against bacterial infections. However, antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense to treat the flu if you get sick. In addition to taking antiviral drugs to fight the flu, the patient should also be on bed rest. (3)