Along with the financial and physical burden that this has caused, Patient X has also suffered mentally. Her mental faculties have since declined drastically. She appears to no longer be aware of her surroundings.
Medical Health and Background.
Patient X had most recent physical/ check up approximately one-year prior. Findings suggested that patient showed no signs of illness or disease hypertension or respiratory distress. She was seen at her primary care physician for the physical but I was unable to attain Doctors name, as the daughter was not certain of that information.
On December 31st, patient had been in severe accident. She was treated via ambulance and taken to Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn where findings suggested small cuts and scrapes were the extent of her injuries.
Approximately two to three weeks after the accident and shock due to the death of her son, she returned to the hospital for a follow up and to address constant headaches and not feeling well. At this time she was diagnosed with hypertension. She was put on a low Na diet and given an anti-hypertensive medication. .
Approximately one month later she returned to the hospital emergency room with complaints of severe shortness of breath, and dizziness. .
Lab findings showed patient's Hemoglobin to be 8g/100ml (normal level is 12-16g/100ml) Her pulse was found to be 48 beats per minute (normal 60-100, 80 being for the average adult). She was also found to have an O2 sat. of 88 (normal being 95-100), suggesting that she was under severe respiratory distress. Patient was immediately transferred to intensive care unit, upgrading her diagnosis from mild to severe. She was immediately placed on a ventilator to facilitate her breathing, and to attempt to increase O2 level to normal range.
Therapies:.
Currently the patient is on an NPO diet with a GT tube in place. This was necessary due to patient's semi-comatose state and her inability to chew and swallow.
