Assessment Case study: Post-operative care
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1200 words (+/- 10%)
Learning Outcomes This assessment addresses the Subject Learning Outcomes listed at the end of this document
Weighting 50%
Total Marks 100 marks
Assessment Task
In this assessment, you will apply your knowledge and understanding of postoperative nursing care. After analysing a case study you will answer a series of questions.
Please refer to the Task Instructions for details on how to complete this task.
Context
The Registered Nurse plays an important role in the postoperative care of a person. This assessment provides you with the opportunity to apply theory to a clinical scenario. To complete this assessment you will need to apply clinical reasoning processes as you examine and analyse a case study. You will be required to analyse the data provided, research the surgical procedure and anaesthetic administered as
well as post-operative nursing care principles. This information will then be used to discuss the holistic nursing care of the person during the post-operative period of an acute care admission.
You will need to use the following processes from the clinical reasoning cycle to complete the assessment:
• process information
• identify problems/issues
• take action
• evaluate outcomes
• reflect on process and new learning
Instructions
To complete this assessment, you will need to examine and analyse the case study presented below and provide responses to the questions asked.
Case study
Maria Russo is a 76 year old woman who sustained an Intertrochanteric fracture of the Right femur after she fell when watering her garden. She sustained a small laceration to her Right Shoulder when she fell. Maria could not remember what happened before she fell.
Maria’s medical history includes osteoporosis, prediabetes and depression. She has recently been experiencing some orthostatic hypotension. She has no significant surgical history. Maria’s current medications on admission are Aspirin 75mgs daily, Citalopram 20mg and Alendronate Sodium 10mg orally daily.
Maria lives alone, her husband died 6 months ago. Maria’s adult children live interstate. Pre-operatively Maria shared her concerns about her pet dog, Bonnie, and who will care for her while she is in hospital.
Maria has undergone an Open Reduction and Internal fixation (ORIF) of the fractured Right Neck of Femur under Spinal and General Anaesthesia.
Maria was nauseated in the Post anaesthetic care unit (PACU) and vomited a small amount of green fluid. IV Metoclopramide was administered with good effect.
Post-operative surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and pharmaceutical and mechanical thromboprophylaxis are ordered. An intravenous PCA of Morphine is ordered together with regular intravenous Paracetamol.
The surgeon has ordered the drain tube to removed on Post-Operative day 2 (after review)
Discharge is scheduled for post-operative day 5.
Observations on return to the ward
Airway: patent
Respiratory rate: 16 breaths/min Oxygen saturation: 97% on room air
Heart rate: 84 beats/min (irregular) Blood pressure: 100/60 mmHg
Capillary refill: 2 seconds
Intravenous therapy Cephalic vein Left arm: Hartmanns solution 8 hourly
Dressing to Right hip: Intact with small amount of bright red ooze on dressing
Redivac drain tube in situ: patent – 200 mL of bright red drainage
Bromage score: 2 Dermatome level: L2
Right foot pale, cool to touch, pedal pulse present, slight paraesthesia in toes
Graduated compression stockings in situ
Alert: orientated to time and place Pain score: 1/10 on rest, 3/10 on movement
Temperature: 36 C
BGL: 9 mmol/L
Maria sustains a skin tear to her lower right arm as you release the bed rails after transferring her to her room.
Questions
1. Discuss the elements of open disclosure that are required in this situation. (100 words).
2. Identify four postoperative/anaesthetic actual or potential patient problems or issues from the data presented. Briefly discuss the factors that pre-dispose Maria to these problems* (200 words).
3. Discuss the nursing interventions that you would employ to prevent/manage the identified problems. Ensure a rationale is provided for each intervention* (650 words)*
4. Discuss how you would evaluate the effectiveness of these nursing interventions (150 words)*
*Answers to questions 2, 3 & 4 must be submitted in a table (suggested format below)
Patient problem Nursing intervention Rationale Evaluation
5. Reflect on what you have learnt from completing this case study and how this learning will inform your clinical practice (100 words)
Formatting
- A cover page must be included which includes; subject name and code, assessment number, student name, student number and word count
- Present your assessment in 12-point font, Arial or Times New Roman, 1.5 line spaced and a minimum of 2.5cm margins.
- Page numbers should be included in the footer along with student ID number
Structure
- For each question, you should provide a brief separate heading (please do not include the questions in the assessment).
- Ensure that your answers are concise and relate to the case study provided. Each question has been given an estimated word count to give you direction in the amount of information you need to provide.
- Answers to questions 2, 3 & 4 must be presented in a table (see suggested format below)
- Bullet points can be utilised in your responses.
- You are not required to provide an introduction or conclusion for this assessment.
Referencing
10 references are required for this assessment. Use recent, relevant and reliable resources to complete this task. These should be peer-reviewed literature other credible sources (government documents, reports, publications, authentic webpages etc., related to the subject matter and not older than seven years
It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see more information on referencing here Academic Skills webpage
Submission Instructions
Submit your Case Study into Assessment 4 submission link in the Assessment section found in the main navigation menu of the subject Blackboard site. A rubric will be attached to the assessment. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
Submit your assessment as a word document (not protected) and not a pdf.
Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for ensuring that all work submitted is their own and is appropriately referenced and academically written according to the Academic Writing Guide. Students also need to have read and be aware of Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure and subsequent penalties for academic misconduct. These are viewable online.
