Overview: The objective of this task is to explore and explain the pathophysiology and pharmacology of the scenario. This should include the pathophysiology, treatment and individual considerations raised in the case study.

Time limit: 10 minutes (+/- 1 min)

Instructions:

As a nursing student and future registered nurse, it is paramount that you communicate, partner with the patients, and engage in collaborative practices with other members of the nursing and interprofessional team.

This assignment is a video essay based on a clinical scenario. It will enable you to showcase your understanding of a disease condition with regards to pathophysiology and pharmacology; and provide an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills.

The instructions are as follows:

The maximum video length is 10 mins. You can use, pictures/drawing or animation if it helps you to convey your ideas or express your understanding of the concepts. (The maximum slides is equivalent to 10 slides).

A reference list of sources you used to create your video (a minimum of 10 references, APA 7th edition referencing style, as text in the video as well as a separate reference list, within the last 7 years, extracted from high quality textbooks or peer reviewed journals. Australian Government websites may be included as references.

You may also add one page of additional notes. For example, if you made an animation, you could include the plan of your animation as additional notes as this may help the marker understand aspects of your video. This page will not be marked directly but may assist the assessor when marking your assignment.

References:

You are required to –

1. Reference a minimum of ten academic sources that you used to create your video. Sources need to be high quality textbooks maximum 5 years old or peer reviewed journals maximum ten years old. Australian Government websites may be included as references (up to two).
2. Utilise APA 7th edition referencing style
3. Upload the reference list separately to the video.
4. Ensure you reference intext during the presentation (either on slides or onscreen or any other creative way) 

Video guide:

Introduce yourself, your case study at the beginning of the video Pathophysiology.

You will need to discuss the following –

• risk factors • causes • pathological changes and outcomes • signs and symptoms.

This needs to be a broad discussion about the condition itself.

Application

You will need to discuss the relevant aspects for your patient. Link the signs and symptoms your patient displays with the pathological changes that occur. Discuss relevant aspects (such as risk factors) for this particular individual.

Pharmacology treatment

You need to discuss pharmacology treatment broadly and then link to the patient bearing in mind its appropriateness in this scenario. With a focus on mode of action, side effects and nursing considerations.

The nursing considerations should include what monitoring you might undertake as a nurse looking after the patient on that medication, what results you might check to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment and what teaching you may provide to the patient whilst on that treatment. For example, would the side effects of these medications compound the patient’s condition? Are all the side effects relevant to this patient?

Education

What is important for your patient to know? What do they need to understand about their condition or the pharmacologic treatment of their condition? How will they manage their condition independently? What other aspects of the individual circumstances needs to be addressed?

Case study

A 65-year-old patient, John Brown a retired coal mine worker, with a history of COPD presents to a clinic in Warragul Hospital emergency department with complaints of worsening shortness of breath, cough with clear-white sputum production, and fatigue. The patient reports a 4-kilogram weight loss in the last month and increased dyspnoea with activity.

Vital signs are as follows: blood pressure 130/80 mmHg, heart rate 92 beats per minute, respiratory rate 24 breaths per minute, temp 37.0o C and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. The patient appears tired and uncomfortable, using pursed-lip breathing.

Mr Brown’s usual medications are salbutamol 4 times a day (and prn) and Budesonide 2 times a day. Mr Brown doesn’t use a spacer because “I am not a child!”.

After medical review, the diagnosis is exacerbation of COPD. The recommendations are oxygen via nasal specs at 2L and sputum specimen for investigation. Mr Brown is commenced on nebulised salbutamol QID, Ipratropium bromide BD and Budesonide BD.