A 46-year-old severely retarded female was presented by her mother (caretaker) to the hospital emergency department on September 23, 2003. The patient was exhibiting shortness of breath (SOB) with periods of apnea that lasted up to two minutes. Patient was febrile. Her mother advised she was recently released from the hospital three weeks earlier with a bout of aspiration pneumonia and is still taking antibiotics. Upon arriving at the emergency department, the patient's vital signs were noted as BP 110/60, P80, R22, T101.0, and Pulse Oximeter 82%. Home based medications were noted as Depakote, Prempro, Allegra, DDAVP, and Augmentin, along with a daily iron supplement. .
Student Nursing Assessment.
The assessment was done in the presence of and with the approval of patient's mother. Verbal input was provided by caregiver. Vital signs were: Temp 99, P89, R22, BP 76/57, O2 95 with room air. .
The patient appeared alert.
