Sepsis Shock Case Study part 2
History of Current Problem:
Jack Holmes a 72-year-old Caucasian male brought to the ED by ambulance from a skilled nursing
facility (SNF). According to report from the paramedic, when th
...
Sepsis Shock Case Study part 2
History of Current Problem:
Jack Holmes a 72-year-old Caucasian male brought to the ED by ambulance from a skilled nursing
facility (SNF). According to report from the paramedic, when the SNF nursing staff attempted to wake
him this morning, he would not respond, and his BP was 74/40 with a MAP of 51. He has a history of
Parkinson’s disease, COPD, CHF, HTN, depression, and a stage IV decubitus ulcer on his coccyx that
developed three months ago. He does not follow commands, is unresponsive to verbal stimuli, but
responds to a sternal rub with grimacing and withdrawing from stimulus.
Personal/Social History:
He has lived in the skilled nursing facility the past three years and has been bed bound the past year due
to his advanced Parkinson’s disease. He was a heavy smoker, 1 PPD for 40 years until he moved to the
SNF.
1. What is the RELATIONSHIP between RELEVANT current problem data and the primary
medical problem?
RELEVANT Current Problem
Data:
Clinical Significance
Low BP with MAP of 51
Stage 4 Ulcer on his coccyx that
developed 3 months ago
COPD, CHF, HTN, Parkinson’s
disease and old age
Unresponsiveness to verbal
stimuli
Hypoperfusion of the tissue which can hinder
oxygenation
Ulcer not healing due to inadequate tissue perfusion
Altered immune response due to these comorbidities
and lowered functioning immune system given the
patient’s age.
Altered LOC
RELEVANT From Social
History:
Clinical SignificanceSkilled Nursing Facility
Bed bound due to his
parkinson’s
Depression
More exposure to pathogens or iatrogenic illness at the
facility
Poor skin integrity, atrophy of muscle, renal calculi, DVT,
isolation
Isolation, no interest or motivation in performing ADLs,
unable to self advocate, withdrawing from peers
Patient Care Begins
Current VS P-Q-R_S-T Pain
Assessment
T: 103.4 F/39.7 C (oral) Provoking /palliative Not responsive verbally,
withdraws to pain, no other
indicators of pain
P: 135 (irregular) Quality
R: 32 (regular) Region/radiation
BP: 76/39 MAP: 51 Severity
O2 Sat: 91% 2 liters n/c Timing
2. What VS data are RELEVANT and must be interpreted as clinically significant by the
nurse?
RELEVANT VS Data Clinical SignificanceTemperature is high
Respiration is high
BP is low
O2 Sat is low (91%)
There is an active infection in the body,
this can also cause higher metabolism
which can lead to fatigue
Compensating for low BP inorder to
adequately oxygenate the tissues
This is an indication of septic shock
Could be normal for a patient with
COPD who is a heavy former smoker
with a history of 1 PPD for 40 years.
Current Assessment
General appearance Pale and warm to touch. Appears tense.
Respirations Tachypneic and working hard to breathe,
intercostal and suprasternal retractions
present. Breath sounds diminished and light
crackles in lower lobes bilat. Nail beds have
noticeable clubbing, barrel chest present.
Cardiac Pale, 1+ pitting edema lower extremities,
systolic murmur with an irregular rhythm,
radial pulses weak and thready, cap refill 3
seconds
Neuro Does not open eyes to sound or pain,
withdraws to pain, incomprehensible
sounds to painful stimuli, does not follow
commands but does not resist when moved
on a stretcher. PERRL
GI Distended abdomen, firm/nontender, bowel
sounds hypoactive in all quadrants
GU Foley catheter placed to monitor urine
output. 50 mL tea-colored urine with nosediment, and no odor present
Skin Stage IV decubitus to coccyx 1 cm x 0.5 cm
x 0.5 cm depth, wound bed with visual bone
noted at the base with large areas of
necrosis on both sides of the sacrum bone.
When dressing was removed, a large
amount of yellow/green purulent drainage
on dressing with a foul odor. Mucus
membranes dry and pale.
3. What Jack’s Glasgow Coma Scale score?
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