Nursing
The diagnostic process is very important in providing patients with quality care. Health care professionals should collaborate with the patients and the family in the diagnostic process in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Diagnosis should be a team-based activity so that all individuals can participate in bringing an accurate diagnosis. The importance of a team-based approach is that the professionals who have different backgrounds and skills will work together in assessing and evaluating patient care (Balogh et al, 2015). Thus, interdependent collaboration and shared decision-making will improve service provision, promote team innovation, and more importantly enhance patient satisfaction. In the case study, the health care professionals need to evaluate the condition of the patients and consider factors such as age, symptoms, the activities, the medication that the patient has taken to manage the pain, the period in which the patient has lived with the illness, among other factors. Generally, the diagnostic research will assist the clinicians to come up with a correct and accurate diagnosis.
Considering the circumstances and the preliminary workup, Ms. A is suffering from nutritional anemias and in specific, Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). Anemia is a condition in which the body has low hemoglobin (Hb) due to iron deficiency (Ramakrishnan, 2000). Other micronutrients deficiencies such as vitamin A, folic acid, Vitamin-12, and riboflavin can also contribute to anemia. In Ms. A's case, chances are that she is suffering from iron deficiency anemia and this condition has occurred due to heavy bleeding. During her menstrual cycle, she loses vital iron minerals which are required for growth. The reason as to why she experiences low levels of energy and feel lightheaded is because she has suffered from menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea or heavy loss of blood. Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness are major signs and symptoms of iron deficiency (Ramakrishnan, 2000). These symptoms are an indication that Ms. A has iron deficiency and she does not produce enough hemoglobin that carried oxygenated blood.
Approach to care
After establishing the diagnosis process using interrelated individuals and arriving at the accurate and timely diagnosis, the clinicians should use an integrated approach which means that they should coordinate with the patient and the family in order to attain better health outcomes (Kulkarni, 2014). In addition, an integrated approach involves the coordination between primary health professionals with a nutritionist to improve healthcare.
Treatment plan
The treatment plan should start with oral iron therapy. Ms. A should receive a dosage for 120mg for three months and as a result, she will increase the level of hemoglobin (Short & Domagalski, 2013). The patient should expect side effects such as epigastria discomfort, constipation, and others. To manage the side effects, the patient should take the medication with meals. The patients should go for a check-up for blood counts to evaluate whether the hematocrit level is normal.
A method for providing education to the patient and the family
Patient and family education is an important way to help them become responsible and take a proactive role in the condition. The education will also help the patient and the family make informed decisions on care. The health care professional should start with assessing the learning needs, consider cultural values and language skills (Short & Domagalski, 2013). Methods or providing education includes the use of technology, and select the best learning style. The health care professional should inform the patient and the family about the condition, the administrated medication, and ensure that they understand the care.
A teaching plan
A teaching plan should with teaching the patient and the family about anemia, and the treatment, and the side effects (Short & Domagalski, 2013). Second, the adviser should create a food plan for the patient. The clinician should advise the patient to take food rich in iron such as leafy green vegetables, and nuts, and reduce the intake of tea and coffee. Third, the teaching plan should talk about anemia prevention.
References
Ramakrishnan Usha. (2000). Nutritional Anemias: Modern Nutrition. CRC Press
Balogh, E. P., Miller, B. T., Ball, J. R., & National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
(2015). Diagnostic Team Members and Tasks: Improving Patient Engagement and Health Care
Professional Education and Training in Diagnosis. In Improving Diagnosis in Health Care.
National Academies Press (US).
Kulkarni, A. V. (2014). Integrative Approach for Health Care: Time to Review and Change the
Paradigms. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 5(2), 71.
Short, M. W., & Domagalski, J. E. (2013). Iron deficiency anemia: evaluation and management. American
family physician, 87(2).
