Is This a Difficult Patient,or is it a Genuine Concern?

[Isis Phoenix]

Ms.M is a 26years patient admitted to the medical/surgical ward for overnight observation RE: complaint of shortness breath since the last two weeks..... there is no significant medical history. The nurse she is assigned to measured her vital signs ....the findings are: BP 130/70, Pulse 82, RR 21 and non-labored, Temp. 98, O2 sat 98% on 2liters of oxygen, no complaint of pain, and no visible distress observed.

Every 15 mins. Ms. M rings the call bell and reports that she cannot breathe; the nursing assessment reveals no significant deviation from the vital signs above. What action should we take regarding Ms. M's behavior? And what possible nursing diagnosis can we assign to her?

"I do not have all the answers, but together we can find them."

(M Ecallawh

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I really wish the OP would post her/his thoughts. This is such a wonderful place to learn. We wouldn't laugh or dismiss whatever the OP presented.

Most of us love to teach, and there's probably several hundred years of experience just on these three pages.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I thought this was a forum where students come together to discuss cases,as well as pertinent issues affecting the nursing profession;if it is not please accept my apology.

The scenario is plain.....how do we proceed? Shouldn't we begin by looking at the current situation... physical,and psychological,her chart,labs,chest x-ray,and other pertinent diagnostic testing in order to rule out Anxiety? This is a topic to be discussed as not everyone see eye to eye,but together we can do a better job of constructing our nursing diagnosis,as well as taking care of the patient.

"I do not have all the answers, but together we can find them."

(M Ecallawh

I think you need to participate a little more like SiMH (Song in my heart) did so you can get the dialog going....we will be happy to jump in but we still need some input from you.