Symptom Management in Different Care Settings-Case Study

Case Study_Session II 2022

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Summary: <br /><br />This case study involves a 78-year-old woman with breast cancer who is currently being treated at a rural hospital in New York. Her symptoms are managed using a PCA pump without active titration. However, her husband, who is a retired nurse, is concerned about her receiving any pain medications due to her history of methamphetamine and prescription drug use. The hospital is uncertain about where to send her after discharge. Over the Fourth of July weekend, the patient experiences severe pain that she rates as a 9/10. Using her bolus button, she is able to bring the pain down to a tolerable level of 4/10, but the relief only lasts for 2-3 hours, requiring frequent medication to maintain pain control. The patient expresses the need for additional pain management, but her husband insists that her PCA pump settings not be increased and that he can manage her care at home. The physician is concerned about the patient's post-discharge plans, how she will access medication over the holiday weekend, and the possibility of her husband not providing appropriate care if she is discharged home.

Keywords

case study

breast cancer

rural hospital

New York

PCA pump

pain medications

methamphetamine

prescription drug use

discharge

pain management