Diagnosing and Managing Common Cardiovascular and Neurologic Conditions
Cardiovascular and neurologic conditions are among the leading causes of death and hospitalization of women in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008a). As an advanced practice nurse, you must routinely monitor patients at risk of these conditions and recommend the appropriate health screenings and preventive services. When assessing patients for these conditions, it is important to keep in mind that while some female patients might present with typical signs and symptoms, others might present with atypical signs and symptoms that are unique to women. For this Discussion, consider signs and symptoms presented by the women in the following case studies and develop differential diagnoses:
Case Study 2: Due 10.30.17
You are seeing a 63-year-old African American female for a two-week history of intermittent chest pain. The pain varies in intensity and resolves with rest. She does not believe it has increased over time. She is a nonsmoker with a history of hypertension treated with Lisinopril 10 mg once daily. She had an exercise stress test one year ago that was within normal limits. Her physical exam findings are as follows: HR–90, BP–150/92, R–22, O2Sat 98% RA; lungs: clear to auscultation bilaterally; cardiovascular: apical pulse of 90 RRR, no rubs, murmurs, or gallops. Chest wall mildly tender to palpation that reproduces her complaint of pain. Extremities include no clubbing, cyanosis, or edema. The remainder of the exam is within normal limits.
To prepare:
· Review Chapter 8 of the Tharpe et al. text and the McSweeney et al. article in this week’s Learning Resources.
· Analyze the patient information on case study # 2
· Consider a differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Think about the most likely diagnosis for the patient.
· Reflect on the appropriate clinical guidelines.
· Think about a treatment and management plan for the patient.
· Be sure to consider appropriate dosages for any recommended pharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic treatments.
· Consider strategies for educating patients on the treatment and management of the disorder you identified as your primary diagnosis.
Post an explanation of the differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Explain which is the most likely diagnosis for the patient and why. Then, based on the appropriate clinical guidelines, explain a treatment and management plan for the patient, including proper dosages for any recommended treatments. Finally, explain strategies for educating patients on the disorder.
Please use these resources/references:
Required Readings
Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Chapter 8, “Primary Care in Women’s Health” (pp. 457-616)
This chapter explores health promotion and disease prevention in women’s health. It also describes the presentation, assessment, diagnosis, and management of various systemic conditions, including cardiovascular and neurologic conditions.
McSweeney, J. C., Pettey, C. M., Souder, E., & Rhoads, S. (2011). Disparities in Women’s cardiovascular health. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 40(3), 362–371.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article explores health disparities in cardiovascular disease, including gender and racial disparities related to the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with this disease.
Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, & National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Women’s Health Initiative: WHI background and overview. Retrieved March 20, 2013, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi/background.htm
This website outlines details of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) and introduces the various health issues addressed by the WHI.
Optional Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012b). Women’s health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/women/
National Institutes of Health. (2012). Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH). Retrieved from http://orwh.od.nih.gov/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012a). Womenshealth.gov. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/
