Running head: Plan of care 1

Care Plan

Sherrill Butler

Delaware Technical Community College

Nursing 320

04/17/2017
Plan of care 2

The summited care plan was for a 49-year-old female patient that lives alone does not have a

great support system or close family relationship except with her 6-year-old grandson. The

patient has a mass index of 52, uncontrolled sleep apnea, daytime hypertension, fibromyalgia,

and suffers from depression due to her weight and herself image. During the interview that

patient disclosed that she is socially uncomfortable around people and that she has a hard time

making friends. She sometimes gets anxiety about leaving the house and this prevents her from

maintain a job for long periods of time. The patient stated that she wakes up very tired and

irritable after sleeping over 8 hours daily. The patient also stated that she really only enjoys

spending time with her grandson and her church affiliations.

After reviewing all the data, I felt that the priorities where her weight, disturb sleep patterns,

and her inadequate social relationships. Being overweight contributes to a lot of other health

issues. The above patient has a BMI of 52 and Obstructed Sleep Apnea. If this patient was to lose

weight it would help with all her other underlying health and social issues. It has been proven

that being overweight contributes to sleep apnea and hypertension. According to the article

Epidemiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: a Population-based Perspective, obesity is the leading

cause of sleep apnea and hypertension is an underlying effect. The patient is diagnosed with

fibromyalgia which causes her chronic pain and helps with her immobility, lack of energy and

motivation. I referred the patient to the YMCA for their aquatic aerobic classes. The water

exercises will help to alleviate the pain on her joints during exercise. During the interview the

patient expressed that she was not using her CPAP machine because she it was uncomfortable

and it had not been readjusted in 4 years. I explained to the patient the importance of using her

CPAP machine daily. I explained that it helps to keep her airway clear while she is sleeping
Plan of care 3

allowing her to get the correct oxygen exchange to get a good night sleep. I also referred the

patient to some sleep clinics for readjusting her CPAP machine. I also felt that the patient needed

to address her lack of social skills and her depression. The patient stated during the interview that

her appearance is one of the reason she lacks confidence around others. She also stated that she

no support system and she feels lonely most of the time. She also stated during the interview

process that she eats out of boredom, loneliness, and when she is sad or angry. Addressing these

emotions will also help the patient with her weight loss and her other health issues. The lack of

family support and the dysfunction within the patients family has also contributed to her low

self-confidence. The patient and I discussed the importance of working through her family issues

and having open communication with her mother and daughter. The patients only happy place is

when she is with her grandson and church affiliations. During the interview process the patient

asked if I knew a Christian therapist. I gave the patient a referral and encouraged her make and

keep the appointment. The above patient was also encouraged to increase her social encounters with

others.

In summary, to total help this patient obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle we have to look at the whole

person. We cant just address the physical problems, but we must also address the emotional, the spiritual

and the social problems as well. This patients emotional problems have drastically contributed to her

physical problems. Without constant re-evaluation of the current care plan this patients overall h ealth is

at risk.
Plan of care 4

References

Burke, Lora E. et al. (2016, March 13). Self-systematic review of literature. Journal of the
America diet association, volume 111. Issue 1, 92-102

Lee, W., Nagubadi, S., Kryger, M. H., & Mokhlesi, B. (2008, June 01). Epidemiology of
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: a Population-based Perspective. Retrieved April 16, 2017, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2727690/

Obstructive Sleep Apnea. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2017, from

http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Continuing-Education/CE-Articles/Obstructive-Sleep-
Apnea.aspx

Townsend, M. C. (2011). Nursing diagnoses in psychiatric nursing: care plans and psychotropic
medications. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Co.