NR-293 Week 1 Discussion: Unfolding Case Study
Unit 1: Unfolding Case Study
“Hello, I am Lillian Tudor, and I was married to my high school sweetheart, Earl, for 53 wonderful years. He died 2 years ago and I miss h
...
NR-293 Week 1 Discussion: Unfolding Case Study
Unit 1: Unfolding Case Study
“Hello, I am Lillian Tudor, and I was married to my high school sweetheart, Earl, for 53 wonderful years. He died 2 years ago and I miss him to this day. Earl and I had three children, two of whom passed before Earl. Our oldest daughter, Leigh, is still helping me around the house and is a blessing to me in my old age. Let me tell you something. Getting old ain’t for sissies! I’m 84 years old as of last month. Leigh had the family meet at a buffet restaurant in town for a surprise party! It was nice to see the grandkids, because they don’t stop by often enough with their busy lives. Lynn, the oldest, has a great husband and two kids with more energy than what seems humanly possible. Leigh complains that they are too loud, but I think everyone else talks too softly these days! In fact, when Leigh comes over to take me to the doctor, she’s always telling me my television is too loud.
“I have a lot of doctors who I see. There’s one for my heart and blood pressure who says my cholesterol is too high and wants me to start a new medicine. Another one is for the diabetes, which makes me use those stupid syringes to take insulin. And the last one is for trying to help me with my stiff knees and sore joints. Like I said, getting old ain’t for a sissy! Did I mention the adult briefs I wear to help with my bladder leakage? It’s those dang water pills that I take to keep my feet from swelling so badly. All in all, it’s not a bad life.”
In addition to what Lillian has told you, here is a list of her current medications.
• Captopril 25 mg, three times a day
• Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.5 mg, by mouth as needed for anxiety
• Insulin lispro (Humalog) 7 units subcutaneous TID, 15 minutes before meals
• Tramadol for arthritis pain
• Furosemide 40 mg, twice per day
• Ciprofloxacin 250 mg every 12 hours
• Pilocarpine eye drops, two drops each eye, four times a day
• Lasix 60 mg, once per day in the morning
Select one medication and answer all five of the following questions.
1. If this was a medication order, do you have enough information to safely administer the medication? Please explain your answer and provide the missing information, if any.
2. What is the medication’s classification? Does it have any special considerations about which the nurse should be aware?
3. Why is Lillian taking this medication? If you are unsure based on the information you’ve been given thus far, list common reasons for this medication to be given.
4. Does this medication present any possible adverse interactions with the other medications Lillian is taking?
5. What are the implications of Lillian taking garlic supplements with her current Drug Interactions?
Hi Class,
The medication that I chose was Insulin lispro (Humalog).
1. If this was a medication order, I do have enough information to be able to administer this medication safely. This is because it states that 7 units subcutaneous, TID, 15 minutes before meals is taken each day, which gives great detail.
2. The classification of Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting human insulin analog used to lower blood glucose. Some special considerations about Insulin lispro that the nurse should be aware about is to make sure to know the adverse reactions and side effects of Insulin. The nurse should be aware that Insulin starts to work about 15 minutes after injection and peaks in about an hour and keeps working for 2 to 4 hours. Humalog should not be used if the patient is having an episode of hypoglycemia. Some side effects that Humalog includes are: low blood sugar, itching, mild skin rash or thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine.
3. Lillian is taking this medication because she has diabetes.
4. Other medications that Lillian is taking can increase or decrease the effects of insulin lispro on lowering blood sugar.
5. Garlic has been recommended to help reduce high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, it may also help reduce the incidence of heart disease which is a condition that affects about 80% of people with diabetes. “Raw garlic might help reduce blood sugar levels, as well as reduce the risk of atherosclerosis” (Ginta, 2016).
References
Ginta, D. (2016, August 4). Garlic and Diabetes: Is It Safe? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/garlic-and-diabetes
[Show More]
