3.1.5 Observation and Problem Solving Case Study 1
This case study is adapted from a real situation. All names are aliases, and any identifiers are removed for privacy.
Case Study
Ms. Jung is a 48-year-old female experiencing pain in her upper back and numbness in the fingertips of both hands. Furthermore, she reported feeling nauseated, lightheaded, and very tired. Her heart rate was 154 and her skin was clammy. The blood specimen showed no increase in her cardiac values. The doctor started oxygen at a low rate, and admitted her to the intensive care unit.
Your Tasks
- Based on the videos you just watched, and your knowledge of body systems, what system do you believe is struggling in this case?
Write down your answer. Then, continue to the feedback below.
Case Study Feedback
The following feedback for the chapter case study is meant to provide guidance for your own practice. Then, the resolution of the case as it occurred in real life is provided for your reference.
Based on the videos you just watched, and your knowledge of body systems, what system do you believe is struggling in this case? The system struggling is the circulatory (cardiovascular) system.
Resolution
Ms. Jung was having a heart attack. Women do not always have the same signs and symptoms as men, and their cardiac enzymes may not show elevation for several hours—unlike males, who usually show elevated cardiac enzymes immediately.
See the link provided for more information regarding women’s signs and symptoms during a heart attack.
Media Attributions
- Image by Parentingupstream from Pixabay
