Case Study History: Mrs

Case Study History: Mrs. Smith is an 82-year-old woman who was admitted for mild confusion and disorientation the evening before. Upon evaluation in the ER, it was determined that Mrs. Smith had a urinary tract infection. She has been admitted for hydration and antibiotic therapy. An intravenous line (IV) was started in the ER, and the patient was transferred to your unit for care. 0800: Upon assessing Mrs. Smith, the following vital signs were assessed: Temperature: 100 degrees Fahrenheit Pulse: 104 beat(s)/(m)inutes Respirations: 22 beat(s)/(m)inute Blood pressure:( 80)/(40) Oxygenation: 95% on room air (no supplemental oxygen) Skin: Warm and dry to the touch with diminished turgor Joyce University Lab Values and Vital Signs (For reference) Lab Values Vital Signs -> Problem: Mrs. Smith, without assistance, climbed out of bed and attempted to go to the bathroom. Upon ambulating (walking) to the bathroom, Mrs. Smith fell on the floor. You, the nurse, immediately attended to her. Upon quick assessment, Mrs. Smith appeared to be unharmed except for an ecchymosis area (bruise) developing on her right forearm, where her arm hit the bedside table. The physician, Dr. Jones, was notified at the time of the incident; the on-call physician, Dr. Michaels, evaluated Mrs. Smith; and an x-ray of the right arm was done to rule out a fracture. You need to report the incident to the next shift nurse in hand-off.