COLLEGE OF NURSING
NCM104
A CASE STUDY ON
Multiple physical injuries secondary to vehicular
accident
Submitted To:
Maam Glenda Demafeliz RN, MN
Clinical Instructor
Submitted by:
Xyrex D. Nicolas
BSN-NCM104
FEB 26, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
I. INTRODUCTION
a.
b.
c.
III.DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
V. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
a. Medical Orders with Rationale
b. Laboratory Results
14
c. Drug Study
16
22
VII. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
27
28
29
34
37
38
XII. PROGNOSIS
40
XIII.BIBLIOGRAPHY
41
I. INTRODUCTION
a. Overview of the Study
Motorcycles are becoming more popular as a means of transportation.
However, per vehicle-mile traveled, a motorcyclist is 37 times more likely to die in a
crash and 9 times more likely to be injured (NHTSA, 2008f). As the motorcycle
itselfoffers almost no protection, the occupant is subject to severe forces similar to
those experienced by an ejected automobile or truck occupant. Head injury is
common, especially in the absence of a helmet. There may be multiple fractures and
large, painful abrasions with imbedded debris (road rash).Before looking at injury
patterns, it is helpful to review some of the physics involved. Newtons First Law of
Motion states that an object in motion will remain in motion until acted on by another
force. Thus, a vehicle in motion will keep moving until somethinga tree, another
vehicle, the brakes, or some other forcecauses it to slow down, stop, or change
direction. When such a force is applied, people in the vehicle will continue to move at
the original speed and direction until a force such as the seat belt, the steering wheel,
or the windshield causes them to slow down, stop, or change direction. Even then, the
organs of the body will continue in motion until slowed or stopped by the bones and
other supporting structures within the body.
The forces on the vehicle, the body, and the organs are applied in sequence.
This sequence is rapid if the vehicle strikes a fixed object and much less so during a
controlled stop. If this sequence were to be observed in slow motion, the body and the
organs would seem to move toward the point of impact. This is important because it
provides clues as to where to look for injury.
Remember that it is not only the change in speed that causes the damage but how fast
the change occurs. Going from 60 mph to a full stop may do no damage if it happens
over a few seconds. But if the change occurs over a few milliseconds, a much greater
force is involved, and it can be deadly. Anything that increases the stopping time will
decrease the forces involved. This is the reason for such safety features as crush zones
in the vehicles front end, a collapsible steering column, and the stretch in seat belts.
RED
Gender:
Male
Age:
37 years old
Birthdate:
January 6, 1976
Place of Birth:
BUKIDNON
Address:
Manolo fortich,bukidnin,
Status:
Married
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Nationality:
Filipino
Height:
Weight (present):
65 kg
Educational Attainment:
Occupation:
CAA
Income:
3000/month
Chief Complaints:
tenderness of face
Admitting Diagnosis:
Admission Date:
Admission Time:
07:30p.m.
Attending Physician:
Hospital:
III.DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
Erik Erikson Psychosocial Theory
Later Adulthood: 20-45 years old
Ego Development Outcome: intimacy vs. isolation
Basic Strengths: LOVE
This stage takes place during young adulthood between the ages of
approximately 19 and 40. During this period of time, the major conflict centers on
forming intimate, loving relationships with other people.
Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with
other people. Success leads to strong relationships, while failure results in loneliness
and isolation
Robert Havighurst Theory of Developmental Task
Middle Adult (Ages 30-60)
Assisting teenage children to become responsible and happy adults. * Achieving adult
social and civic responsibility. * Reaching and maintaining satisfactory performance in
ones occupational career. * Developing adult leisure time activities. * Relating oneself
to ones spouse as a person. * To accept and adjust to the physiological changes of
middle age. * Adjusting to aging parent
6
V. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Doctors Order
Rationale of Order
To provide surgical
management of the pt.
To provide understanding
in the part of the client
including significant others
for any medical, surgical,
and nursing intervention
and also for legal
documentation purposes.
To secure the patients
status while he is under
observation for any
unusualities and any
untoward complications
To check or evaluate any
deviation from normal in
blood count, blood typing
to check for what type of
blood the patient has for
possible blood transfusion
and urine analysis to
check for infection., cxray
shows if there are any
problems related to the
bones and inner organs on
the chest
It could also be seen
through this lab tests if
there is a possible internal
bleeding.
@ 7:30 a.m
NPO temporarily
Meds:
1.Cephalexin 500mg POevery 8
hrs.,
An antibacterial used to
treat for bacterial infection/
prophylaxis treatment post
operatively.
Refer accordingly
02-01-13
Continue Meds
Ambulate
Refer accordingly
b. Laboratory Results
Test
Results
Reference
Rationale
WBC
22.9
(5,000-10,000)mm3
Indicates infection;
acute
stress/trauma
RBC
4.30
(4.2-5.0)mm3
Within normal
values
Hemoglobin
11.6
(13.7-16.7)g/dL
May indicate
bleeding; acute
stress/trauma
Hematocrit
34.6
(40.5 -49.7)%
May indicate
bleeding; acute
stress/trauma
Lymphocyte
3.0
(17.4 -46.2 )%
Indicates bacterial
infections; acute
stress/trauma
(150,000-450,000)
Platelet count
adequate
Blood Typing
B(+)
10
URINALYSIS
February 3, 2013
Color: Yellow
Proteins: Negative
Glucose: Trace
pH: 6.0
Blood: ++
Casts:
Finely Granular: 0 1
RBC : 0 2
hyaline: 0 1
Bacteria: Few
Indicates Bacterial Infection in the body and a possible internal bleeding due to
the blunt trauma of the chest as evidenced by the presence of blood in the urine.
11
c. Drug Study
Generic Name:
Cephalexin
Date Ordered:
Classification:
Antibiotic
Dose/Frequency/Route:
Mechanism of Action:
This drug binds to one or more of the penicillinbinding proteins (PBPs) which inhibits the final
transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in
bacterial cell wall, thus inhibiting biosynthesis and
arresting cell wall assembly resulting in bacterial
cell death
Specific Indication:
Contraindication:
Side Effects:
Nursing Precaution:
Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins.
Headache, dizziness
12
Generic Name:
Mefinamic acid
Date Ordered:
Classification:
Non-Opioid Analgesic
Dose/Frequency/Route:
Mechanism of Action:
Specific Indication:
Contraindication:
Side Effects:
Nursing Precaution:
13
Humans are born with over 270 bones, some of which fuse together into a longitudinal axis, the
axial skeleton, to which the appendicular skeleton is attached.
The axial skeleton (80 bones) is formed by the vertebral column (26), the rib cage (12 pairs of
ribs and the sternum), and the skull (22 bones and 7 associated bones). The upright posture of humans
is maintained by the axial skeleton, which transmits the weight from the head, the trunk, and the upper
extremities down to the lower extremities at the hip joints. The bones of the spine are supported by
many ligaments. The erectors spinae muscles are also supporting and are useful for balance.
The appendicular skeleton (126 bones) is formed by the pectoral girdles (4), the upper limbs
(60), the pelvic girdle (2), and the lower limbs (60). Their functions are to make locomotion possible and
to protect the major organs of locomotion, digestion, excretion, and reproduction.
Function
The skeleton serves six major functions.
Support
The skeleton provides the framework which supports the body and maintains its shape. The
pelvis, associated ligaments and muscles provide a floor for the pelvic structures. Without the rib
cages, costal cartilages, and intercostal muscles, the heart would collapse.
Movement
The joints between bones permit movement, some allowing a wider range of movement than
others, e.g. the ball and socket joint allows a greater range of movement than the pivot joint at
the neck. Movement is powered by skeletal muscles, which are attached to the skeleton at
14
various sites on bones. Muscles, bones, and joints provide the principal mechanics for
movement, all coordinated by the nervous system.
Protection
The skull protects the brain, the eyes, and the middle and inner ears.
The vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
The rib cage, spine, and sternum protect the human lungs, human heart and major blood
vessels.
The clavicle and scapula protect the shoulder.
The ilium and spine protect the digestive and urogenital systems and the hip.
The patella and the ulna protect the knee and the elbow respectively.
The carpals and tarsals protect the wrist and ankle respectively.
The skeleton is the site of haematopoiesis, the development of blood cells that takes place in the
bone marrow.
Storage
Bone matrix can store calcium and is involved in calcium metabolism, and bone marrow can
store iron in ferrotin and is involved in iron metabolism. However, bones are not entirely made
of calcium, but a mixture of chondroitin sulfate and hydroxyapatite, the latter making up 70% of
a bone.
15
VII. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
DIAGNOSIS: Multiple injuries secondary to vehicular accidentl.
DEFINITION: In medical terminology, blunt trauma, blunt injury, non-penetrating trauma or blunt force
trauma refers to type of physical trauma caused to a body part, either injury or physical
attack; latter usually being referred as a blunt force trauma. Abdominal blunt trauma is the
most common type of trauma attributed from car to- car collisions, concussion,
abrasion, laceration or bone fracturing characterized by severe abdominal pain,
tenderness, rigidity, and bruising of the external abdomen. Abdominal trauma presents a
risk of severe blood loss and
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
Driving under
influence of drugs
and alcohol.
Alcohol Drinking
Gender (male)
Substance
abuse
Vital Signs:
Temp:36.6C Pulse:82bpm BP: 110/80mmHg
Tenderness
on face
Respiration:17cpm
Generalized
weakness;
restless
Complaints of
pain on site scale
of 8/10
17
ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
RATIONALE
ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
RATIONALE
18
Collaborative
19
ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
RATIONALE
Independent
Assess pain, noting location,
characteristics, severity (010 scale).
Investigate and report changes in pain as
appropriate.
ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
RATIONALE
20
Collaborative
.
21
INTERVENTIONS
RATIONALE
Independent:
Predictability
and
information
decrease anxiety for patient.
Promotes relaxation/rest
feelings of anxiety.
can
Dependent:
and
reduces
22
S
O
rated at 8/10
Acute pain .
Short term:
23
2.
24
3.
S
O
A
Anxious/restlessness
Expression of fear
Preoccupied
Goal met. At the end of 1 hour, the client has been able to
minimize anxious behavior.
25
During the initial assessment, patient Mr. RED was in a dire condition, sustaining
serious injuries. The incident will surely be a traumatic experience to him considering
that he feels Iikes his family no longer needs him to sustain their needs although he was
anxious, restless at first but the support of his family really gave him the courage that
they can.
In response to his condition, care was given to him. His vital signs were
monitored every 4 hours, I & 0 every hour to closely monitored his kidney functioning.
Medications due for him were given and wound dressing was done everyday. Advocacy
in nursing was definitely applied in his care, accepting his minute requests so as to
alleviate his suffering as much as possible. His temperature was also monitored
because of some changes due to his status post condition.
In caring for patient Mr. RED, I have not only contributed to the betterment of his
health, but also to the improvement of myself as student nurses. Any circumstance
during the time of caring for patient Mr. RED added to the skills, knowledge and attitude
which will surely be beneficial in the future.
26
Outpatient (CHECK-UP)
Instructed the clients family to come back one week after discharged for further
follow-up and evaluation of the clients health condition. This is very important so
that the health condition of the client will be evaluated if there is better
improvement. The physician should see and examine the physical appearance of
the client.
Diet
Taught the importance of eating green leafy vegetables such as alugbati,
malunggay, saluyot because this will prevent constipation especially at this time
because his peristalsis decreases due to limited movement
Encouraged low salt intake. The use of salt as a flavoring agent needs to be
controlled because this is usually the cause of fluid retention.
Encouraged intake of vitamin C, such as home made lemonade and oranges
because the patient has post surgical incision that will aid in healing.
Increased intake of protein because this is important for skin integrity.
Increased intake of fruits and vegetables because this can provide vitamins and
minerals for nutrition.
28
XII. PROGNOSIS
The attending physician, as well as those who gave care and studied the case of
Mr. RED came up with good prognosis basing from the aforementioned indicators, and
justified as follows:
A. Knowledge of the disease condition
The diagnosis for this criterion is good because he showed understanding in the
importance of compliance/adhering to treatment regimen, although he has a positive
attitude but lacks financial aspect was really an impact on him considering as well that
he is the only person who works in the family
B. Extent of the disease
Not good, because sometimes he can take those medication needed but as
much as they wanted to still there would be a times that they dont have sufficient funds
for treatment regimen compliance.
D. Attitude and willingness to take the medications and follow treatment regimen
Good prognosis because he was able to take his medications on time and
followed the treatment regimen for management of his condition with a positive attitude
for compliance and cooperation although there would be a time that he cant deny that
he missed some dosage due to financial aspect
E. Family support
Mr. REDs wife was always there for him supports and helps the patient cope with
stress and anxiety.
29
XIV.Bibliography
Douges, M.E. et.al., (2002).. Nurses pocket guide: diagnosis, interventions &
rationales. (8th Edition).Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.
Douges, M.E. et.al., (2002).. Nursing care plan: guidelines for individualizing
patient care (6th Edition) Philadelphia:
Spratto, G.R. & Woods, A.L. (1994). Nurses drug reference. USA: Delmar
Publishers Incorporated.
Ulrich & Canale. (2005). Nursing care planning guides. (6th Edition).
Webliography:
www.mayoclinic.com/INJURIEs
www.yahoo.com/fall
www.google.com/images/lungs
30