Diagnostic Test Performed When a Person Presents With Chest Pain
According to the scenario, Mr. Joseph Waters, a 76 –year- old man married to Carol and
a father of two is admitted in the emergency department for further diagnosis for chest
pains. According to the case, Joseph was brought into the ED with a medical history
depicting that he had been suffering from (CAD), Hypertention, Hyperlipidaemia,
Chronic Renal Impairment, Chronic Bronchitis, and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease
(GORD), According to the report, he was under medication that included: Enalapril,
Atorvastatin, Aspirin, Pantoprazole and Salbutamol. This paper therefore seeks to carry
out an analysis of Mr. Joseph’s condition
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Performed to determine the electrical activity of a
patient’s heart through the attachment of electrodes to the skin.
Blood Tests: Performed to check and increase in the level of enzymes found
around the heart’s muscles. Damages to the heart cells may allow heart attacks to
leak enzymes into the blood.
Chest X-rays: Allows a doctor to determine the condition of the lungs including
the size and the shape of a patient’s heart and blood vessels.
Computerized Tomography (CT scan): Can be used to determine the blood
clots in patient’s lungs or to check the aorta to ascertain a patient does not have
aortic dissections.
CASE SCENARIO
- As determined, Mr. Water’s would be experiencing Epigastric chest symptoms from
myocardial ischemia (Kiriş, Gülmen, Yılmaz, &Okutan, 2011). However, his condition
may be ascribed to gastrointestinal (GI) that occurs in spite the existence of diaphoresis.
The symptoms in this case that may make it challenging to consider this ailment as
myocardial ischemia. Additionally, sharp pains witnessed by the patient may also be
attributed to a musculoskeletal etiology. - CAD is primarily caused when cholesterol rich deposits build up along the linings of the
artery thus causing the thickening of the arterial wall including the narrowing of the space
between the arteries that allows blood flows to access the heart (Kiriş et.al.2011). This
therefore limits the amount of blood being supplied to the heart muscles with oxygen, a
factor that reduces the presence of atheromas.
As established in the patient’s medical history, CAD may result from the narrowing of
the athermanous that subsequently occludes the vessels. An early contraction of
Atheroma is considered to be prevalent from adulthood with the lipid core that is
comprised of two constituents released from the necrotic cells thus depriving
macrophages which migrates into the ingested lipids and intima (Kiriş et.al.2011). In this
case, the patients connective tissue matrix are derived from the organs smooth muscle
cells that are considered to migrate from the media to the intima where they are bound to
proliferate and change their nature into phonotypical fibrous capsules around the core of
the lipid.
In a case where the plague produces a stenosis diameter of >50%, chances of a reduced
blood flow are prevalent through the coronary artery, an aspect that may result in angina.
As a result of this, acute coronary case is likely to arise as a result of the formation of
CASE SCENARIO
thrombus that occurs as a result of the disruptions caused by the plague (Kiriş et.al.2011).
When these plagues build up, the patient’s coronary arteries are narrowed, an aspect that
decreases the manner in which blood flows to the heart. As a result of the decrease in
blood flow, the patient is likely to suffer from chest pains also described as angina or
other CAD symptoms. A complete blocking of the patients coronary arteries may result
in a heart failure.
- CAD is a heart illness that develops as a result of the narrowing of the arteries within the
heart. When these arteries narrow, it becomes difficult for blood and oxygen to reach the
muscles of the heart, a factor that result in the development of CAD that can lead to a
heart failure (Kiriş et.al.2011). On the other hand, it is essential to consider that Ischemia
refers to the restriction of blood flow and oxygen to the other parts of the body.
CAD and ischemic chest are related in terms of the consequences of results of arteries
sclerosis that results from the hardening of the arteries and atherosclerosis that occurs as a
result of the fatty deposits found within the arteries (Kiriş et.al.2011). In such an instance,
the coronary arteries are affected by atherosclerosis of the arteries sclerosis, thus
becoming occluded and resulting in the impairment of the blood supply to the hearts
muscle. - Enalaprilas a medicine is mainly utilized in the treatment of high blood pressure in an
adult and also the congestive heart failure. Additionally, this drug may also be used in
treating the ventricles disorder that depicts the restrictions of the lower chambers of the
heart in allowing blood flows to the heart (Kiriş et.al.2011). This disorder is known to
decrease the capacity of the heart in pumping blood to the rest of the body. Considering
that Mr. Waters experienced some Pain: 7/10 in left chest with a BP of 108/60 would
CASE SCENARIO
indicate that he was suffering from the Left Ventricular Dysfunction as factor that
resulted in the description of Enalapril 10 mg BD. This therefore requires that the patient
is observed for a period of two hours until the blood pressure stabilizes.
Enalapril’s mechanism of action can be depicted in the case of this patient that results in
the suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems, an aspect that results in the
decrease of plasma angiotenisn II thus resulting in a decrease of the vasopressin activities
and aldosterone secretions (Kiriş et.al.2011). In this case, treatment will incorporate the
use of VASOTEC alone that will be conducted over 48 weeks with the aim of increasing
the patient’s serum potassium levels.
- Atorvastatin is a medicine that can be used in treating an elevated total cholesterol
condition (LDL) with the aim of elevating HDL cholesterol. The primary aim of the use
of this drug in Mr. Water’s condition was to lower the cholesterol levels of a prescription
of Atorvastatin 40 mg daily. Atorvastatin is known as one of the efficient synthetic lipid-
lowering agents that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA). The
use of this drug therefore catalyses the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an aspect
that is essential in the biosynthesis of cholesterol (Kiriş et.al.2011). When less cholesterol
is produced, the liver is known to take more cholesterol from the patient’s bloodstream,
an aspect that would result in the circulation of low levels of cholesterol in the blood. - Using the ABCDE framework to discuss Mr Waters current observations
The ABCDE framework in this case can be used as an observational tool through
the consideration of the following principles (Halpin & Riggins, 2014):
CASE SCENARIO
Airway (A): Airway obstructions are considered as life threatening and would
require immediate attention since they may result in hypoxia and damage the
heart, kidney and the brain. In this case, it is important that:
- An assessment is made on the signs of airway blockages on the patient.
- The airway elements that block the airway are treated as a medical
emergency - The patient is gives Oxygen is at a higher concentration
Breathing (B): During the assessment process, it is vital to consider the patients
breathing and diagnose the difficulties. Treatment should be directed to the life-
threatening conditions.
Calculation (C): In the case of Mr. Waters, it is essential to take consideration of
hypovolaemia which may result in shocks (Halpin & Riggins, 2014). In a case
where there are no signs of a cardiac cause, it is advisable that Mr. Waters is put
on intravenous fluid especially when his condition depicts a fast heart rate.
Breathing problems are likely to lead to a problem in a patient’s circulatory state
and should be treated as early as depicted.
Disability (D): There is a need of determining the patient’s conscious level
through the use of an AVPU method. This determines the alertness and the
manner in which the patient responds to painful stimuli or his unresponsiveness to
all the stimuli’s (Halpin & Riggins, 2014). In order to determine Mr. Water’s
CASE SCENARIO
response to painful stimuli, the application of a supra-orbital pressure would be
effective.
Exposure (E): In order to determine Mr. Water’s full exposure to his body, it is
imperative to minimize the aspect of heat loss as a way of respecting his dignity.
In establishing the differences in the observations, it is important to consider that
the patients HR increased to 115 from 113 with a BP of 110/63 from 108/60. On
the other hand, the patients RR were irregular and increased to 31 from the
original observation of 28.
- Action to take while waiting to review Mr Waters
- Conducting an assessment
- Controlling the patients airways distress
- Consider the precipitating factors
- Completing the patients respiratory assessment
- Monitor the patients deteriorating or improving symptoms
- Consider an assessment on the patient’s family support and teach
them how stress levels may exacerbate the ailments symptoms
9.
a. Mr. Water’s current medication includes Salbutamol PRN. It is essential to
determine that this drug belongs to the class of medicines also known as β2-
adrenergic agonists and that are inhaled through the mouth to aid in opening
bronchial tubes and allow the passage of air into the lungs (Halpin & Riggins,
2014).
CASE SCENARIO
b. The mechanism of action of salbutamol
Salbutamol would be used in the case of this patient to stimulate β 2 adrenergic
receptor considered as predominant in smoothing the bronchial muscles of the
lung. This results in the activation of adenyl cyclase that results in the formation
of the cyclic AMP (adenosine-mono-phosphate). The high levels of cyclic AMP
have the capacity to relax the patient’s muscles, an aspect that decreases his
airway resistance by lowering his intracellular concentrations of ionic calcium
(Halpin & Riggins, 2014).
- Bronchopneumonia is an acute inflammation of the lungs, primarily characterized by foci
that are surrounded by parenchyma. This disease therefore produces a bacterium and
affects the lobes being frequently determined as basal. Patients suffering from
bronchopneumonia that is caused by bacteria as a result of invasions on the lungs
parenchyma by the bacteria, an aspect that triggers the immune inflammatory response
that fills the alveolar sacs with exudates (Halpin & Riggins, 2014). When the air sacs are
filled with the exudates fluid through a process known as consolidation, the patient’s
pulmonary lobes are affected.
11.
a. Bacteria And Fungi
b. Streptococcus Pneumonia
c. Atypical Bacteria,
d. Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
e. Chlamydophila Pneumoniae
f. Legionella Pneumophila
CASE SCENARIO
12.
a. Amoxicillin in this case belongs to the class of Amino penicillins that are
considered as extended spectrum antibiotics
b. As determined in Mr. Waters’s condition, in contracting a community
acquired bronchopneumonia, it would be effective using amoxicillin in
altering the actions of bacteria in the colon that encourages the growth of
more bacteria which may result in the inflammation of the colon.
- Immediate actions in order of priority
- Ensure the patient is calmed while you call for help
- It is important to Assess the patient’s failing organs
- Assess clues to determine the cause
- Act fast to clear blockages
- It is also essential to Reduce the patient’s anxiety
- Stabilize the patient from the obstructions cause by spasm and
edema - Ensure the situation does not worsen
- Cause of action in Mr. Waters case:
There is a need of determining the patient’s conscious level through the use of an
AVPU method. This determines the alertness and the manner in which the patient
responds to painful stimuli or his unresponsiveness to all the stimuli’s (Halpin &
Riggins, 2014). In order to determine Mr. Water’s response to painful stimuli, the
application of a supra-orbital pressure would be effective. - The likely cause of Mr Waters’ septic shock
CASE SCENARIO
- Weakened Immune Systems
- Bacterial Infection
- Fungi and Viruses
- Clinical manifestations of septic shock Mr Waters is showing
As detailed, septic shock is referred to as a systematic inflammatory response
syndrome (SIRS) that document another infection. The clinical manifestation and
features of this condition depends with a patient. In the case of Mr. Waters, the
elements of fatigue, irritability, anxiety, rigors and fevers and the difficulties in
breathing and the grunts determine that he is in a septic shock,
17.
Stage 1: Non- progressive Shock: This shock occurs when blood flow is
detected and several other systems are activated to maintain perfusion, the heart is
prone to neat at a faster rate with the blood cells in the body turning smaller, a
factor that restrains the circulation system thus resulting in a shock.
Stage II: Irreversible State: Occurs when the systems of the body fails to
improve the process of perfusion and are reflected in the patients symptoms. As a
result of this, oxygen is therefore deprived within the brain, a factor that results in
the patient’s confusion and disorientation (Seymour & Rosengart, 2015). The
deprivation of oxygen in the heart is likely to result in chest pains as well.
Stage III: This results when the heats functionality continues to go downwards, a
factor that results in the shutting down of the kidneys thus injuring the body’s
CASE SCENARIO
cells and tissues (Seymour & Rosengart, 2015). This stage may lead to a patient’s
death.
- The overall treatment goal in shock
The primary goal of shock treatment is to achieve an adequate delivery of
oxygen in the tissues especially in patients who present symptoms of septic
shock.
- The medical management of septic shock
In this case, it is important to begin antibiotic therapies and proper dosages on the
patient at an early stage. In order to correct the conditions of hypoxia, impaired
tissue oxygenation and Hypertention, there is a need for resuscitating the patient
(Seymour & Rosengart, 2015). It is also important that a physician identify the
sources of infection and determine effective approaches of controlling them,
through the maintenance of adequate functions on organ systems. This therefore
can be guided through the use of a cardiovascular monitoring tool.
- The nursing management of septic shock
Nurses should consider early resuscitation therapy on patients who undergo septic
shock. The patients should be admitted in ED with clinical approaches to show
there are no evidences of end-organ determined (Seymour & Rosengart, 2015). It
is also essential to consider that these patients may not need an invasive
hemodynamic monitoring and may not requite Intensive Care admissions.
CASE SCENARIO
References
Halpin, D. P., & Riggins, S. (2014). Management of coexistent carotid and coronary artery
disease.Southern Medical Journal, 87(2), 187
Kiriş, İ., Gülmen, Ş., Yılmaz, S., &Okutan, H. (2011). Management of Concomitant Coronary
and Bilateral Carotid Artery Disease: A Case Report. Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 22(2),
149-151.
Seymour, C. W., &Rosengart, M. R. (2015).Septic Shock.JAMA: Journal of The American
Medical Association, 314(7), 708-717.