Douglas Adams Doug Adams, a 16-year-old male who is the star player for his local football team, sustained a concussion and fractured tibia, from a collision with another player during the game.

QUESTION

Douglas Adams Doug Adams, a 16-year-old male who is the star player for his local football team, sustained a concussion and fractured tibia, from a collision with another player during the game. He was transported to the emergency department by ambulance after the incident as he lost consciousness and was dizzy and disorientated, and required the fracture attended to. He was kept in hospital overnight as he was complaining of a persistent headache, tinnitus, photophobia, and nausea. The following morning, he was found to be drowsy and confused, and complained of a feeling of tightness, tingling, and worsening pain in his leg.

Develop two (2) nursing diagnoses for this patient. • For each diagnosis develop one (1) nursing interventions • Provide appropriate rationales for each intervention

Nursing Diagnosis:

Intervention:

Rational:

Nursing Diagnosis:

Intervention:

Rational:

ANSWER

Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions for a 16-Year-Old with Concussion and Fractured Tibia

Introduction

 In this article, we discuss two nursing diagnoses and corresponding interventions for a 16-year-old male named Douglas Adams. Douglas sustained a concussion and fractured tibia during a football game, resulting in several symptoms and complications. The nursing diagnoses identified for Douglas are impaired cerebral tissue perfusion related to concussion and impaired physical mobility related to fractured tibia.

Nursing Diagnosis 1

Impaired cerebral tissue perfusion related to concussion

Intervention 1

 Monitoring vital signs and neurological status regularly. 

Rationale

 Regular monitoring of vital signs and neurological status is essential in identifying any changes in the patient’s condition. By detecting early signs of deterioration, nurses can intervene promptly, ensuring optimal cerebral tissue perfusion.

Intervention 2

 Maintaining a quiet and calm environment. 

Rationale

A quiet and calm environment reduces stimulation and promotes rest, which is vital for the healing process after a concussion. Minimizing external stimuli helps prevent additional stress on the brain and optimizes cerebral perfusion.

Intervention 3

 Implementing appropriate pain management strategies.

 Rationale

 Pain can contribute to increased stress and discomfort for the patient (Wells, 2008c). Implementing appropriate pain management strategies, such as administering analgesics or providing comfort measures, helps alleviate pain and promotes a favorable environment for cerebral tissue perfusion.

Nursing Diagnosis 2

 Impaired physical mobility related to fractured tibia

 Intervention 1

Assessing the patient’s mobility level and pain intensity.

 Rationale

Assessing mobility level and pain intensity provides valuable information for understanding the extent of impairment and identifying appropriate interventions. It serves as a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving physical mobility.

Intervention 2

Collaborating with the healthcare team to develop an individualized mobility plan.

Rationale

Collaboration with the healthcare team allows for a comprehensive approach to address the patient’s impaired physical mobility (Taberna et al., 2020). An individualized mobility plan considers the patient’s specific needs, fracture healing process, pain management, and any restrictions imposed by the injury, optimizing recovery and minimizing complications.

Intervention 3

Educating the patient on proper positioning, weight-bearing restrictions, and assistive devices. 

Rationale

Patient education regarding proper positioning, weight-bearing restrictions, and the use of assistive devices empowers the patient to actively participate in their recovery process (Khasnabis, 2010). It promotes safety, prevents further injury, and facilitates optimal healing of the fractured tibia.

Conclusion

 In conclusion, nursing diagnoses and interventions play a vital role in promoting the recovery and well-being of patients like Douglas Adams, who suffered a concussion and fractured tibia. By addressing impaired cerebral tissue perfusion and impaired physical mobility, nurses can provide holistic care, optimize outcomes, and support the patient’s journey towards recovery.

References

Khasnabis, C. (2010). Assistive devices. Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310951/ 

Taberna, M., Moncayo, F. L. G., Jané-Salas, E., Antonio, M., Arribas, L. P., Vilajosana, E., Torres, E., & Mesia, R. (2020). The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Approach and Quality of Care. Frontiers in Oncology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.00085 

Wells, N. (2008c, April 1). Improving the Quality of Care Through Pain Assessment and Management. Patient Safety and Quality – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2658/