nursing scenario

[JAIMIE1980]

Am needing some help with this particular scenario that i am being tested on this Tuesday.. it is pretty broad need to know if i am on the right track. from the symptoms given i would say she suffered from a right sided stroke but what is really confusing me is the reason she is on synthroid, Digoxin and metaprolo???

Elizabeth is an 84 yr old with a history of a fractured hip 1 yr ago. She lives at home alone. Elizabeth was admitted last night with left sided weakness and a fall. Elizabeth normally gets around well at home with a cane.

Elizabeth's doctor's orders include the following:

Synthroid

Digoxin

Metaprolol

Morphine

Tylenol#3

Coumadin

Immovane

Oxygen

IV fluids

Swallowing assessment

PT/OT

Foley if needed

[JAIMIE1980]

ok well i am going to go and put all this together, if I need to pick your brain you dont mind? you have been a great help and i appreciate it.

[JAIMIE1980]

So in relation to my scenario, my teacher also asks what are the first 3 things that you would assess the client for when you first walked into the room for the first time after report? I would say a neurological assessment head to toe assessment and swallowing test would that be right or is that to vag do I need to be more specific?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Remember your ABC's. Is she alert? Is she breathing? Can she maintain a patent airway. what is her color? What are her vital signs?

You walk into a patients room...they smile? Is their facial symmetry equal? What is the most important for you to know? Is she breathing? Can she maintain an airway? Is she handling her own saliva? How is her color? What are the vital signs? Is she awake? Is she alert? Can she move her extremities? What specifically to a Rt sided CVA....Left hemiparesis is important to know? Effects of Stroke read this!