PATIENT CARE STUDY
Read the following case study and use your
nursing process skills to answer the questions
below.
Scenario:Toni is a 14-year-old girl who is in
the adolescent mental health unit following a
suicide attempt. Her chart reveals that on sev-
eral occasions when her mother was visiting,
she began hyperventilating (respiratory rate of
42 and increased depth). Gasping for breath
on these occasions, she nevertheless pushed
away all who approached her to assist. Her
mother confided that she and her husband are
in the midst of a divorce and that it hasn’t
been easy for Toni at home: “I know she’s
been having a rough time at school, and I
guess I’ve been too caught up in my own trou-
bles to be there for her.” When you attempt
to discuss this with Toni and mention her
mother’s concern, she begins hyperventilating
again.
1.Identify pertinent patient data by placing a
single underline beneath the objective data in
the case study and a double underline beneath
the subjective data.2.Complete the Nursing Process Worksheet on
page 271 to develop a three-part diagnostic
statement and related plan of care for this
patient.
3.Write down the patient and personal nursing
strengths you hope to draw on as you assist
this patient to better health.
Patient strengths:Personal strengths:4.Pretend that you are performing a nursing
assessment of this patient after the plan
of care is implemented. Document your
findings.270 UNIT VII PROMOTING HEALTHY PHYSIOLOGIC RESPONSES
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