Chagas Disease: Immigrating Into The United States,
2015
Otterbein University
Chagas Disease: Immigrating Into The United States, Angela Metzger
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Chagas Disease is starting to make a profound entrance into our communities within the United States. The influx of the immigrant population is the principal cause of the accumulation in the number of reported cases. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasite that causes Chagas disease. The triatomine blood sucking insect enjoys the mucosal membranes of their pray, both humans and animals. The most common regions of the penetrating bite are the conjunctiva of the eye or around the mouth. It is through the feces of the vector entering the inoculation site that initiates …
Exploring The Pathophysiological Concepts Of Ebola Virus,
2015
Otterbein University
Exploring The Pathophysiological Concepts Of Ebola Virus, Andrew T. Wasson
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
The Ebola virus is a member of the filoviridae family. Five distinctive species of ebolavirus have been identified, four of which are known to cause disease in humans (Martines, Ng, Greer, Rollin, and Zaki, 2014). The specific species known to cause disease in humans are Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast, and Bundibugyo (Bray & Chertow, 2014). Bah et al. (2015) report that the Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) was the cause of the most recent West African outbreak and carries the highest human mortality rate among the five known species, with up to 90% of cases being fatal. Ebola is a filamentous, enveloped, …
Maggot Therapy For Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers,
2015
Otterbein University
Maggot Therapy For Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Amber Nikolaus
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Diabetes mellitus, Type 1 and Type 2, are associated with numerous debilitating consequences. One of the most common and serious complication is diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) (Baltzis, Elftheriadou, and Veves, 2014, p.817). DFUs are “caused by loss of glycemic control, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and immunosuppression” and account for greater than 80,000 amputations per year in the United States (Aumiller & Dollahite, 2015, p.28). Approximately 15% of people with diabetes have diabetic foot ulcers (Aumiller & Dollahite, 2015, p.28) and studies demonstrate that 45% to 55% of patients presenting with neuropathic and ischemic diabetic foot ulcers will die within …
Chikungunya Virus: More Than A Mosquito Bite,
2015
Otterbein University
Chikungunya Virus: More Than A Mosquito Bite, Abigail Shaw
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Chikungunya fever is a viral infection caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Although seldom fatal, CHIKV causes high fevers, polyarthralgia, and rash. The mosquito-borne virus has spread rapidly in the last ten years, causing over three million cases of CHIKV worldwide (Powers, 2015). The recent outbreak initiated in Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean in 2004 has quickly spread to Asia, Europe and the Americas (CDC, 2015). According to the CDC (2015), until 2014, cases in the United States had only been linked to foreign travel outside of the Americas. As the outbreak has grown, cases of local …
Identifying Acute Organ Dysfunction As A Marker Of Severe Sepsis,
2015
Otterbein University
Identifying Acute Organ Dysfunction As A Marker Of Severe Sepsis, Daniell Mcsweeney
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
The current definition of sepsis is suspected or documented infection plus at least one systemic manifestation of infection. Severe sepsis has been defined as sepsis plus evidence of organ dysfunction. Identifying acute organ dysfunction is a marker of severe sepsis. This topic was chosen after witnessing a number a patients fall into septic shock before severe sepsis was diagnosed and treatment initiated. Diagnosis of severe sepsis is important for specific protocol to be implemented in a timely fashion. The current differentiation between sepsis and severe sepsis is evidence of organ dysfunction. There are many examples of organ dysfunction that are …
Raising Awareness: Polycystic Kidney Disease,
2015
Otterbein University
Raising Awareness: Polycystic Kidney Disease, Dana Dendinger
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
A young male patient was recently admitted to the intensive care unit at a local hospital with hypertensive urgency and acute renal failure of unknown etiology. A renal ultrasound showed polycystic kidneys and upon further investigation, it was discovered that the patient’s mother passed away last year from end stage renal failure related to polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The aforementioned case and the recent study into inherited disorders are what prompted further investigation into PKD. Liebau and Serra (2013) explain that “inherited cystic kidney diseases, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), are the …
Insulin Resistance Due To Obesity,
2015
Otterbein University
Insulin Resistance Due To Obesity, Chasity Crist
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Diabetes is defined as a common metabolic disorder where hyperglycemia or elevated glucose levels are prevalent (Shah & Vella, 2014). The most common form of diabetes is type two diabetes (T2DM) and effects around 9.3% of the population in the United States (Cornell, 2015, p. 631). The pathophysiology of this disease includes involvement from the pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and kidneys. Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar levels that effects multiple organs (Rymaszewski & Breakwell, 2013). Protocols are developed to allow nurses to identify and treat hyper/hypoglycemia. Patient education is a direct impact of the long …
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy,
2015
Otterbein University
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, April Britton
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is one of the most common epilepsies of childhood (Korff, Nordli, & Eichler, 2014). JME typically occurs in otherwise healthy teenagers, and is characterized by one or more of the following seizure types: myoclonic jerks, generalized tonic clonic seizures, and absence seizures (Korff, Nordli, & Eichler, 2014). JME is thought to have genetically mediated factors (Park, Shahid, & Jammoul, 2015). JME is considered to be gender equal (Korff, Nordli, & Eichler, 2014). Most JME patients are diagnosed between 12 and 18 years of age (Korff, Nordli, & Eichler, 2014). Triggers linked to onset of seizure activity …
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura,
2015
Otterbein University
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, Ann Oliva
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or TTP, are often times seen in the emergency department and subsequently admitted to the inpatient or the critical care unit. The problems that TTP patients can present with vary greatly and astute nursing assessment plus knowledge of the pathophysiology behind the diagnosis is vital to deliver excellent nursing care. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura or TTP is a rare but potentially fatal condition that occurs as result of decreased levels of ADAMTS-13, a cleaving protease for von Willebrand factor (vWF), which causes platelet aggregation and microvascular thrombi and subsequent end-organ damage, along with thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, …
Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis,
2015
Otterbein University
Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis, Heather Walker
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Hydrops fetalis is an excessive accumulation of fluid within the fetal extravascular compartments and body cavities generally characterized by: •placental enlargement •ascites •pericardial effusions •pleural effusions (Bellini, 2014, p. 1082). Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) develops as a result of one or more nonimmune factors, distinguishing it from immune hydrops fetalis that results from a maternal antigen-body fetal antigen-mediated red blood cell hemolysis (Randenberg, 2010, p. 281).
Malignant Hyperthermia,
2015
Otterbein University
Malignant Hyperthermia, Hailey Jones
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
According to the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (2015), “Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal, inherited disorder usually associated with the administration of certain general anesthetics and/or the drug succinylcholine.” Malignant hyperthermia has been presented to me during hospital skills days over the past year due to the increased need for knowledge regarding this topic. I choose this topic because I find it interesting due to the fact that I could encounter this in the remainder of my days in the intensive care unit, but most importantly because I will be dealing with these drugs on a …
Type Ii Diabetes And Its Treatment,
2015
Otterbein University
Type Ii Diabetes And Its Treatment, Gregory Mountain
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Approximately 28.9 million Americans have been diagnosed with type II diabetes (Jia-Haur Hu, Lin, Miller, Nguyen, & Nguyen, 2014). It is a disease that can cause or potentiate numerous comorbidities that negatively affects multiple body systems if left untreated (Jia-Haur Hu, et al., 2014). In 2012, the total estimated cost for treatment of type II diabetes in America was an astronomical $245 billion (Jia-Haur Hu, et al., 2014). Type II diabetes is a result of many cellular processes that lead to insulin resistance resulting in increased blood glucose levels (Jia-Haur Hu, et al., 2014). Treatments for type II diabetes include …
Acute Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura,
2015
Otterbein University
Acute Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura, Erin Woodworth
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), formerly known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, is a relatively rare, but potentially life threatening autoimmune disorder that involves the destruction of platelets by autoantibodies. The resultant decreased platelet count leaves the patient at risk for excessive bruising and bleeding (Hunt, 2010). ITP can occur in both adults and children, and also occurs as an acute or chronic disorder. It is thought that the cause of acute ITP may differ from that of chronic ITP, however, the underlying disease processes that occur are very similar (Johnsen, 2012). Acute ITP, the most common form of the disease, most …
Malignant Hyperthermia: A Clinical Crisis,
2015
Otterbein University
Malignant Hyperthermia: A Clinical Crisis, Eric Reing
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Malignant hyperthermia, though uncommon, is a serious and life threatening condition. Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant disorder that affects skeletal muscle. It can be caused by various general anesthetic agents like succinylcholine and several inhaled anesthetics. Malignant hyperthermia is a relevant topic to certified registered nurse anesthetists due to the potentially fatal result if not recognized and treated promptly. In understanding the pathophysiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, epidemiology, and current treatments the health care provider can help to prevent complications due to this disorder (Nagelhout, 2014).
Gout As A Significant Risk Factor For Cardiovascular Disease: A Case Study,
2015
Otterbein University
Gout As A Significant Risk Factor For Cardiovascular Disease: A Case Study, Emily Leonhard
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Gout, an inflammatory arthritis caused by elevated serum uric acid levels, is emerging as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, a nurse practitioner (NP) was caring for a patient who was suffering from a particularly severe gout attack while being treated in the ICU for new onset Atrial Fibrillation. The patient reported that he had never had an attack this severe before. He asked the NP if his history of gout could be related to his recent heart problems. The nurse practitioner, in order to answer the patient’s question, spent time researching the disease process of gout, …
Antithyroid Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis,
2015
Otterbein University
Antithyroid Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis, Elizabeth Spears
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
We live in a culture that is busy and constantly on the go. With little time to spare, often symptoms of an alteration in bodily function are pushed to the side and attribute to the stress of everyday life. With symptoms including nausea, fatigue, weight loss, nervousness, and irritability, one may be more inclined to disregard these symptoms, only to attribute them to effects of a busy lifestyle. The presentation of the previously listed symptoms can formulate a medical diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. According to the American Thyroid Association, 20 million Americans will develop some type of alteration in thyroid function …
Pathological Jaundice,
2015
Otterbein University
Pathological Jaundice, Dianna Contosta
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Neonatal jaundice is a common condition present in infants after birth. It is caused by elevated bilirubin in the blood. It can affect up to 84% of term infants and is one of the most common cause for hospital readmission for the neonatal department (Muchowski, 2014). It typically appears within 24 hours of life and is normally present in otherwise healthy newborns. Physiologic jaundice, also known as unconjugated bilirubin, is a normal process that happens in neonates because the hepatic system is not matured yet (Kirk, 2008). Majority of the time physiologic jaundice resolves on its own. Pathological jaundice, also …
Deep Venous Thrombosis In Surgical Orthopedic Patients,
2015
Otterbein University
Deep Venous Thrombosis In Surgical Orthopedic Patients, Kelly Marsh
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
•The term venous thromboembolism (VTE) is defined as a syndrome that collectively comprises both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Each year approximately 350,000-900,000 people in the United States develop VTE and approximately 100,000 people die according to this cause (Streiff et al., 2014). Unfortunately, the reoccurrence rate for VTE remains very high, with an estimated risk of 10%-30% of VTE patients will develop another VTE within five years of the first incident (Streiff et al., 2014). •Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is blood clot that forms in a large vein, usually in areas of slow blood flow such …
Turning Up The Heat On Malignant Hyperthermia,
2015
Otterbein University
Turning Up The Heat On Malignant Hyperthermia, Katie Carroll
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Surgeries are common, everyday procedures within the walls of America’s hospitals. According to Orser, Mazer, and Baker (2008), more than forty million patients in North America are given anesthetics annually. One of the major complications of anesthesia is malignant hyperthermia: a hyper-metabolic state that affects skeletal muscles. If left uncontrolled, malignant hyperthermia can cause multiple reactions within the body leading to metabolic and respiratory acidosis, cardiac dysrhythmias, kidney failure, coagulopathy, neurologic injury, and ultimately death (Seifert, Wahr, Pace, Cochrane, & Bagnola 2014). The incidence of this condition is estimated to be 1:15,000 in children and 1:20,000-50,000 in adults (Redmond, 2001). …
Understanding Hereditary Hemochromatosis,
2015
Otterbein University
Understanding Hereditary Hemochromatosis, Kari Davidson
Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
One of the most common genetic diseases, hereditary hemochromatosis is a disruption of iron regulation in the body. Its geographic distribution is worldwide, but it is most common in those of northern European origin. (Roach and Di Palma, 2012). Occurrence is rare in other racial or ethnic groups. (Emanuele, Tuason, & Edwards, 2014). Symptoms are due to significant iron overload, normally as a result of HFE gene mutation. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). The HFE gene plays an important role in regulating iron absorption in the GI tract, transport, and storage. (Emanuele, et al., 2014). If excess iron …
