Case Study
Harriet Potter (Medical Record Number MRN568923) is an 8 year old girl with a current medical history of osteogenesis imperfecta. She has presented to the emergency department following a a simple fall at school with a query fracture to her left femoral shaft. Her mother Jeannie is in attendance and has assisted in completing the admission notes as below.
Observation chart – Page 1 – Page 2
Medical Admission
Progress notes
Medication chart – Page 1 – Page 2
From the information you have read above regarding Harriett, answer the following critical thinking questions.
- Critically discuss the mechanism of injury of falls in a younger patient. In your answer explain how it is possible that Harriet sustained a fractured femoral shaft, a fracture requiring significant force, despite the mechanism being a simple fall. Identify the significance of observing for limb length disparity and external rotation that is documented in the nursing progress notes?
- Identify the medications, both routine and those prescribed for this admission, and discuss their pharmacology. Explain their indication for use in this patient.
- Based on the assessment data discuss the immediate nursing priorities for this patient (i.e. within the ED).
- Critically analyse the ongoing holistic nursing care for this patient linking to both the acute and chronic diagnoses and possible post-operative complications for this patient.