STUDENT INFORMATION
Assignment – Case Studies
Assessment Weight - 50 %
Due Date: As per assessment schedule

Instructions

Please read the five (5) case study scenarios and answer all the questions.

Answers are to be presented academically.

In text references are not required. However, students must cite the sources used after each answer (still using the Harvard in text format outlined in the SARG booklet). See the example below -

Question 1: What activities of daily living will Anastasia require assistance with?
The patient will require assistance with many activities of daily living including ............
(Brown & Edwards 2011, p. 100; Koutoukidis, Stainton & Hughson 2013, p.38; Tollefson, Bishop, Jelly, Watson & Tambree 2012, pp.5-7) sources are cited together at the end of the answer instead of in text.
A detailed reference list will be required at the end of the paper.

See individual questions for a guide to the word count. The word count should not be exceeded by more than 10%.

Marks are allocated to each question for general description (see marking criteria for this assignment).

This assignment will be marked as per the following written assessment marking guide
Criteria
Percentage
General description
· Correctly interprets question/task
· Comprehensive and thorough discussion of all requirements
· Demonstrates understanding of important requirements
70%
(see marks
allocated to each question)
Reading & research
· Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

10% (overall)
Referencing & Presentation
· As per Referencing Guide (Harvard system)

10% (overall)
Writing
· Clearly conveys concepts. Spelling grammar, punctuation and logical structure.

10% (overall)
Total
100% (overall)

PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

1. Case Study 1 (14 marks)
Client
Tom is a 48 year old male, presenting with substernal crushing chest pain. He has swelling to his feet and ankles, and shortness of breath on exertion.

1. It is likely that Tom’s symptoms are being caused by problems with which body system?
(2 mark/ 25 words)

2. Explain the likely pathophysiology of Tom’s chest pain and the swelling to his feet and ankles.
(3 marks/ 50 words)

3. What diagnostic procedures could confirm his condition? (3 marks/ 50 words)

4. What is the purpose of each of the above named diagnostic procedures? (3 marks/ 50 words)

5. What health professionals will this client need to access for his condition (name at least 3)? What services would each provide? (3 mark/ 50 words)
2. Case Study (14 marks)
Client
Mary is a 56 year old woman who has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She is morbidly obese and has a body mass index (BMI) of 35. She is visiting a community health clinic for assessment and education for her newly diagnosed condition.

1. Explain 5 potential health issues Mary faces as a result of her obesity. (4 marks/ 100 words)

2. Name two (2) external and (2) internal factors that could be affecting Mary’s health status. (4 marks/50 words)

3. What health professionals and allied health staff may be involved in the care of this client? Explain the role of each. (3 marks/ 75 words)

4. What type of health education should nurses give this client to assist her with controlling her condition? (3 marks/ 75 words)

3. Case Study (14 marks)
Client
A 40 year old male has presented with unstable blood glucose readings which are secondary to his type 1 diabetes.

1. Explain the long term complications that may occur if this patient’s disease progresses.
(5 marks/ 100 words)

2. Name 5 specific health care professionals that may be involved in the long term care of a client with type 1 diabetes and briefly explain the role of each. (5 marks/ 100 words)

3. Explain the services and therapies that would be provided as part of long term community care for this client. (4 marks/ 75 words)

4. Case study (14 marks)
Client
A 24 year old male presents at the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). He had an elevated blood alcohol reading and appears to be intoxicated. The client suffered a blow to the forehead in the accident. He is reported to have lost consciousness at the scene. On admission he is incoherent and aggressive.

1. What internal factors are likely to be affecting the client’s physical condition?
(2 marks/ 50 words)
2. What external factors have contributed to this client’s condition? (2 marks/ 50 words)

3. If the client’s level of consciousness declines 6 hours after admission, what may be their diagnosis? When responding, consider the onset, peak and duration of alcohol in the system and factor in your knowledge of brain injuries. (6 marks/ 125 words)

4. What specific diagnostic tests would be required for this client? (2 marks / 50 words)

5. Name two specific health care professionals who would be involved in the care of a client with an acute head injury and briefly explain the role of each. (2 marks/50 words)

5. Case study (14 marks)
Client
A 79 year old Chinese Buddhist woman has been admitted for palliative care in a respite facility. She has requested that no opiates be given to her as she wishes to die without pharmacological intervention.

1. Referring to the competency standards for Enrolled Nurses, explain the ethical issues that would need to be considered when caring for this client. (5 marks/ 100 words)

2. This client appears to be in increasing pain, and the Enrolled Nurses caring for her understand the importance of her request to have a medication free death, yet they are upset by her discomfort. What are the responsibilities of an Enrolled Nurse in this situation, and who could they seek advice from? (5 marks/ 100 words)

3. What non pharmacological treatment could be provided as pain relief? (4 marks/ 75 words)