PJ: Severe Acid Reflux & Osteoarthritis Complaints - Essay Sample

Introduction

In the given case, the patient named PJ reported to the emergency department reporting complaints that were adequately documented. According to the records presented in the case, PJ was suffering from severe acid reflux and hemoptysis. When assessed, he was diaphoretic and also appeared pale while guarding his abdomen but sitting in an upright position. From the information given in the case, and as per the signs exhibited by the patient, the main issue was osteoarthritis. The patient reported his long struggle with the disease and that he had been taking aspirin for six months to reduce the related pains. The patient stated that the degree of pain at the point of diagnosis was severe and was nothing like he had ever experienced before. The sight of blood in the patient's vomit, a condition known as hemoptysis, in addition to an extreme feeling of weakness are some of the significant reasons why PJ visited the emergency department. To have a complete picture of the issues in this case, osteoarthritis, hemoptysis, acid reflux, and severe pain are the issues to look at and their relation to nursing care and pharmacotherapeutics. This paper explores the case issues, pharmacotherapeutic considerations, and educational plan that the patient can use to improve his condition.

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Case Issues Covered

Osteoarthritis is a condition that has been found to affect millions of people globally. It is a condition which arises with the wearing out of the protective cartilage present at bone joints, and this takes place over time. The prevalence of this condition increases with age, and women are the most commonly affected. The disease mostly affects the joints in the knees, spine, hands, and legs. However, it can also affect other joints other than the mentioned areas. Its symptoms include inflammation in the affected area, excruciating pain, loss cartilage, and weakness in the joints (Zhang, Robertson, Zhao, Chen & Xu, 2019. Patients coughing or vomiting blood can be said to exhibit hemoptysis. In adults, this condition is caused by a myriad of illnesses, including but not limited to tuberculosis, bronchitis, necrotizing pneumonia, bronchiectasis, or lung abscess (Lenner, Schilero & Lesser, 2002). In children, the most common causes of hemoptysis are foreign body aspiration and infections in the lower respiratory tract section. Acid reflux can be a condition of acid reflux disease, sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease. This condition causes a burning sensation or heartburn, and it comes by when the acid produced in the stomach passes through the lower oesophagal sphincter and into the stomach. Acid reflux is commonly caused by Hiatal hernia, which is a type of stomach abnormality. Pain is a general symptom for all the issues described here.

Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations For Issues

The negative impact of these illnesses has highlighted the significant roles of pharmacotherapy and nursing care in the management of symptoms and treatment of these conditions with the primary aim being pain reduction or neutralization. Other intervention techniques include nonpharmacological and surgical interventions because this condition requires a multifaceted treatment. Pharmacological therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis exits and all nursing practitioners ought to be well-informed about the compelling method that best suit each patient. This is because of the severity of the condition dictates the method of treating osteoarthritis. Traditionally, drugs prescribed to treat this condition include opioids, acetaminophen, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, dietary supplements, and injections with intra-articular corticosteroids (Zhang, Robertson, Zhao, Chen & Xu, 2019). Nurses should diagnose before attempting to treat hemoptysis as the condition can occur due to numerous illnesses. Pharmacotherapeutic care for acid reflux is mostly over-the-counter medical prescriptions. The patient can be given antacids that get rid of the heartburn. Such include Alternagel, Gaviscon, Mylanta, Petto-Bismol, Tums, and Alka-Seltzer. However, in severe cases, it can be treated through surgery (Sano, Iwakiri, Kawami, Tanaka & Sakamoto, 2014). New developmental considerations have emerged to treat diseases like osteoarthritis. These include catabolism or cartilage anabolism, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodeling. New drugs such as human serum albumin and bone morphogenetic protein have been found to have an effective impact in treating this condition.

Educational Plan

To improve the health condition of PJ in the given case, an educational plan is needed. The nurses need to stay up-to-date to prepare patient education in self-management as well as the available options in both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. The patient should be encouraged to use nutritional supplements in addition to drugs like tramadol, acetaminophen, and intra-articular corticosteroid injections, among other pharmacotherapeutic means. Nurses should educate the patient to practice healthy lifestyles that include constant exercise, managing weight, eating balanced-diet, and going for continuous checkups. Nurses also ought to help the patient in the knowledge of allergies associated with certain types of drugs. PJ should be educated to report any side effects they experience as far as the usage of all drugs is concerned. An educational plan for managing hemoptysis includes cessation of bleeding, prevention of aspiration, and treatment of the particular cause. The patient, in this case, should be encouraged to visit the hospital often for checkups on the condition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, osteoarthritis, hemoptysis, acid reflux, and severe pain are common conditions for which pharmacotherapeutics and nursing care have been concentrated. Osteoarthritis, which is the primary concern here, is caused by damaged joint cartilages and results in excruciating pain. Pharmacotherapeutic interventions include the usage of specific drugs, including opioids, acetaminophen, and dietary supplements. New methods like synovial inflammation and subchondral bone remodeling have emerged to help patients with this condition. Hemoptysis and acid reflux conditions also have their pharmacological therapies that have been discussed. The patient should adhere to a well-written educational plan prepared by the nurses educating them on self-management techniques when diagnosed with any of these conditions.

References

Lenner, R., Schilero, G., & Lesser, M. (2002). Hemoptysis: Diagnosis and management. Comprehensive Therapy, 28(1), 7-14. doi: 10.1007/s12019-002-0037-5

Sano, H., Iwakiri, K., Kawami, N., Tanaka, Y., & Sakamoto, C. (2014). Mechanisms of Acid Reflux and How Refluxed Acid Extends Proximally in Patients with Non-Erosive Reflux Disease. Digestion, 90(2), 108-115. doi: 10.1159/000365588

Zhang, W., Robertson, W., Zhao, J., Chen, W., & Xu, J. (2019). Emerging Trend in the Pharmacotherapy of Osteoarthritis. Frontiers In Endocrinology, 10, 1-9. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00431