In the case study of Sallie Mae on home patient health care, there are four heart problems that can be identified. These problems are; congestive heart failure. This is a medical condition where the patient’s heart fails to pump blood as efficiently as it should. This condition is usually experienced at the middle or old age of an individual usually forty years and above. Atrial fibrillation is yet another problem that has been identified in Sallie case. It affects the upper chambers of the heart where they both tend not to coordinate in their pumping of blood, also called fibrillating. Others are hypertension and dyspnea. Hypertension is also popularly known as high blood pressure- tension. In this, the blood pressure in the arteries rises above normal while dyspnea is difficulty in breathing. It is an indication that the respiratory system of the person has a problem (Khan 2005).
The evidence for these problems can be is the instructions in the hospital discharge instructions to be carried out during home based care treatment as well the symptoms that have observed which include chest pain which is an indication of dyspnea. Someone suffering from dyspnea will not only have difficulties in breathing but also pain in the lungs and as well as in other respiratory system organs. An indication of high blood pressure is the 8-pound weight gain. This is so because when blood pumps faster than normal, this means that not only will oxygen be supplied faster but also nutrients will be distributed in the body faster than usual. This becomes the cause of increased body weight.
Congestive heart failure condition has caused her to have exacerbation. These have made her be admitted in to the hospital four times in half a year. These are also an indication that the patient is suffering from atrial fibrillation. Weight gain is yet another sign of atrial fibrillation since the patient experiences fatigue and is unable to exercise. The conditions under which Fisher lives are a good indication that she could be suffering from hypertension. She lives an abandoned and lonely life. She is windowed and lives alone because her only daughter is always working and further she lives in town. Moreover this daughter has family issues that could be affecting her as well. These conditions could be causing her to have stress (Sallie Mae Fisher Grading Criteria).
There are medical treatments that are recommended for each of these conditions. For the congestive heart failure case, are supposed to change their diets and their lifestyles. The patient should take much of herbs in their diet. Anti-inflammatory drugs should not be taken by these patients since these drugs block the operations of the chemicals used for treating it. More attention and should be given to these patients such as more often reminding them to take drugs and asking their whereabouts. This helps them to easily respond to treatment.
In the treatment of dyspnea, use of gas mixtures is recommended so that the patient gets assistance for oxygen supply. This compensates for the shortage of the gas that occurs during difficulties in breathing. In the treatment of atrial fibrillation use of drugs like aspirin, heparin and dabigatran depending on several factors which include cost. The complications caused by AF can controlled if not treated by drugs. These drugs are usually used to control the rate heart beat as well as the rhythm. Patients should also be given much attention so that they do get stressed. Hypertension is generally treated by giving drugs that will lower the heart beat. Special should also be given to patients. This helps minimize chances of stress.
Most of the hypertension and CHF patients are identified to have some degree of stress. This is properly seen in Fisher’s case that lives a lonely and abandoned life. During the time of discharge, mountain top home health has been recommended so as to take care of the heart and the heart beat. Equipments such as oxygen concentrator are meant to supplement supply of oxygen incase of difficulties in breathing (Sallie Mae’s Health History and Discharge Orders)
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References
Sallie Mae Fisher Grading Criteria
Sallie Mae’s Health History and Discharge Orders
Khan M. (2005).Encyclopedia of heart diseases .Chicago: Academic Press, 2005
