Patient History
Past Medical History: He had tubes placed in ears when he was 3-years-old. He had a sports physical prior
to beginning practices and was cleared to play. His immunizations are up to date
Allergies: Non
...
Patient History
Past Medical History: He had tubes placed in ears when he was 3-years-old. He had a sports physical prior
to beginning practices and was cleared to play. His immunizations are up to date
Allergies: None
Medications: None
Code Status: Full Code
Social/Family History: Patient lives at home with his parents and two siblings. He is an A student and star
player for his football team. He says he doesn’t want to disappoint his coach or the team and wants to
return to practice later this afternoon after discharge. He denies smoking and drinking alcohol.
Handoff Report
Situation:
The patient is a 16-year-old male who was admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) for dehydration
and electrolyte imbalance caused by heat exhaustion. He passed out this afternoon during football
practice and was brought to the ED by his football coach. His mother has been notified, and she is on
her way.
Background:
The patient is brought to the ED on a hot and humid August afternoon by his football coach, who states
the patient passed out during afternoon practice. While the team has been practicing about a week,
today is the first day of the team’s two-a-day practices. The patient is the star athlete of his high school
football team. Upon questioning, the patient states he did have some muscle cramps this morning after
practice, but they went away after he drank fluids and rested at lunch. He is not thirsty and does not
need to urinate. When the patient is asked when he voided last, he states he voided before the morning
practice. His coach states he has no known health problems.
Tyler Graves
Age: 16
Weight: 55 kg
Location: Emergency Department (ED)
Basic Assessment of the Athlete with Fluid and
Electrolyte Imbalance
PNCI® - Learner
2 Program for Nursing Curriculum Integration (PNCI®)
© 2012 CAE Healthcare, Sarasota, FL v.5
Handoff Report Continued
Assessment:
Vital signs: HR 96, BP 118/76, RR 32, SpO2
96% on room air, Temperature 38.9C
General appearance: Diaphoretic and still in his football uniform. Mildly distressed, with shallow
respirations
Cardiovascular: Sinus tachycardia. Capillary refill less than three seconds. Pulse weak and thready and
1+
Respiratory: Breath sounds with rhonchi bilaterally
GI: Hypoactive bowel sounds. Complains of nausea
GU: Has not voided since before morning practice and does not need to urinate
Extremities: Moves all extremities with generalized weakness
Skin: Pale, cool and clammy. Skin turgor poor and tongue dry
Neurological: Lethargic but alert enough to answer questions. Complains of lightheadedness and
has slightly slurred speech. Although he doesn’t carry on a conversation, he is alert enough to answer
questions. Pupils dilated and equal
IVs: Saline lock in right forearm started by the triage nurse
Labs: Admission labs drawn. Results pending
Fall Risk: High risk for falls
Pain: Complains of headache
Recommendations:
Implement admission orders and monitor for instability
Orders
Initial Healthcare Provider’s Orders:
Admit to Emergency Department
Diagnosis: Heat Exhaustion
Full Code
Oral fluids as tolerated
Vital signs with orthostatic blood pressures
Administer 500 mL 0.9% normal saline bolus
Notify of urine output of less than 30 mL/hour after fluid bolus
CBC and electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, glucose STAT
Basic Assessment of the Athlete with Fluid and
Electrolyte Imbalance
PNCI® - Learner
3 Program for Nursing Curriculum Integration (PNCI®)
© 2012 CAE Healthcare, Sarasota, FL v.5
Preparation
Learning Objectives
• Performs an accurate basic physical assessment of the patient with fluid and electrolyte imbalance
(APPLYING)
• Identifies normal and abnormal assessment findings (UNDERSTANDING)
• Documents normal and abnormal assessment findings in relation to fluid and electrolyte
imbalance (APPLYING)
• Demonstrates strategies for treating dehydration related to heat exhaustion (APPLYING)
• Identifies teaching opportunities regarding heat-related illnesses (UNDERSTANDING)
Recommended eDose modules for learners to complete before the SCE:
Medication Dosage Calculation Skills
Medication Orders & S. I. Units
Tablets & Capsules
Liquid Medicines
Injections
X I.V. Infusions
Injectable Medicines Therapy
Slow I.V. Injections
X Intermittent Infusions
Continuous Infusions
Pediatrics
This SCE addresses the following QSEN Competencies:
X Patient-Centered Care
X Teamwork and Collaboration
X Evidence-Based Practice
Quality Improvement
X Safety
Informatics
Preparation Questions
• What factors predispose a person to exertional heat illness (EHI)?
• Describe the pathophysiology of dehydration.
• Which types of dehydration are most often associated with heat-related illnesses?
• What electrolyte findings are common with these types of dehydration?
• What assessment findings are consistent with dehydration?
• Describe the differences between heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• How do symptoms and treatments differ for these three heat-related illnesses?
• What are the signs of rehydration?
• Discuss health promotion strategies to prevent EHI.
Basic Assessment of the Athlete with Fluid and
Electrolyte Imbalance
PNCI® - Learner
4 Program for Nursing Curriculum Integration (PNCI®)
© 2012 CAE Healthcare, Sarasota, FL v.5
References
Ackley, B.J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2010). Nursing diagnosis handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care
(9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Ainsworth, S. (2009). Staying healthy if the heat rises. Practice Nurse. 38(3), 43-44.
Armstrong, L. E., & Lopez, R. M. (2007). Return to exercise training after heat exhaustion. Journal of Sport
Rehabilitation, 2007, 16(3), 162-189.
Black, J. M., & Hawks, J. H. (2009). Medical-surgical nursing: Clinical management for positive outcomes (8th
ed) St. Louis, MO: Saunders.
Bray, P. Sokas, R., & Ahluwalla, J. (2010). Heat-related illnesses: Opportunities for prevention. Journal of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
52(8), 844-845. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181ed4c36
Cleary, M. (2007). Predisposing risk factors on susceptibility to exertional heat illness: Clinical decisionmaking considerations. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 16(3), 204-214.
Coris, E.E., Walz, S., Konin, J., & Pescasio, M. (2007). Return to ac
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