Name:_____Haley VanWormer__________

Date:________6/23/14_______
Complex Patient Care Issue




Potential Complications/Risks to Patient



Action Taken





Client Outcomes and Education






Prevention

Describe the Issue:
Patient started to experience chest pain and shortness of breath. Her vitals were normal,
but her O2 sat was slightly low (96). I noticed when I was rounding on my patients after
lunch and told the nurse right away.
Step by Step Actions:
-Asked the pt to describe the pain -Continued to monitor patient
-Notified the nurse
-Obtained vitals
-Implemented chest pain protocol
-Notified physician
-STAT EKG obtained (No Changes, NSR)
Could have been a symptom of a heart attack. Could have also been a
symptom of something changing in her heart such as a rhythm change.
Pt was there for hyponatremia which can potentially cause heart
arrhythmia.
The chest pain was attributed to anxiety. The patient had
recently been put on a new medication and did not clearly
understand why. She began to get confused and anxious about
it, which led to the shortness of breath and chest pain. Patient
had a history of anxiety. Further education was done about the
new medication as well as education on ways to decrease
anxiety.
What could have been done to prevent the situation: (if Applicable)
Possibly if the patient had been given better information about the new medication to
begin with she may not have developed such high anxiety, therefore not developed chest
pain and shortness of breath,