HH is a 68 yo M who has been admitted to the medical ward with community-acquired pneumonia for the past 3 days. His PMH is significant for COPD, HTN, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. He remains on empiric antibiotics, which include ceftriaxone 1 g IV qday (day 3) and azithromycin 500 mg IV qday (day 3). Since admission, his clinical status has improved, with decreased oxygen requirements. He is not tolerating a diet at this time with complaints of nausea and vomiting.
Ht: 5’8” Wt: 89 kg
Allergies: Penicillin (rash
- Consider how you will practice critical decision making for prescribing appropriate drugs and treatment to address the complex patient health needs in the patient case study you selected.
By Day 3 of Week 9
Post a brief description of your patient’s health needs from the patient case study you assigned. Be specific. Then, explain the type of treatment regimen you would recommend for treating your patient, including the choice or pharmacotherapeutics you would recommend and explain why. Be sure to justify your response. Explain a patient education strategy you might recommend for assisting your patient with the management of their health needs. Be specific and provide examples.***Must include at least 3 sources
*** All sources must be within 5 years and peer reviewed journals or primary sources
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this patient case study, we will discuss HH, a 68-year-old male with community-acquired pneumonia who has a significant medical history of COPD, HTN, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. As the medical professor, we will practice critical decision-making for prescribing appropriate drugs and treatment to address the complex patient health needs.
Patient’s health needs:
HH has been admitted to the medical ward with community-acquired pneumonia for the past 3 days. Since admission, his clinical status has improved, but he is not tolerating a diet at this time with complaints of nausea and vomiting. The patient’s treatment must focus on resolving the pneumonia and managing his chronic medical conditions.
Treatment Regimen:
The recommended treatment for HH’s community-acquired pneumonia is antibiotics. Based on his allergies, ceftriaxone 1g IV qday and azithromycin 500mg IV qday are appropriate empiric antibiotics to administer. Additionally, as a patient with comorbid diabetes, it is crucial to monitor his blood glucose levels, and insulin may be initiated if necessary. Management of his COPD, HTN, and hyperlipidemia is equally important in treating this complex patient.
Pharmacotherapeutics choice:
With regards to the patient’s COPD, the use of bronchodilators such as inhaled beta-agonists may be necessary to improve his respiratory status. For hypertension and hyperlipidemia management, the primary pharmacotherapy of ACE inhibitors and statins respectively is recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Patient Education Strategy:
A patient education strategy for HH may include educating him about the importance of taking all his medications as prescribed and the expected benefits of symptom relief. Additionally, educating him about managing a healthy diet during this period of nausea and vomiting can be useful. Counseling on the importance of following a low-fat diet with an adequate protein source can help the patient maintain nutrition during this period.
Conclusion:
In summary, this patient case study illustrates the importance of considering a patient’s comorbid conditions when choosing a treatment regimen for community-acquired pneumonia. The comprehensive management of cryptococcal meningitis requires careful consideration of pharmacotherapy, patient education, and ongoing monitoring to achieve optimal health outcomes.
