Kidney Problem

Kidney Problem

Introduction

In this particular nursing assignment, I will be working on the case study provided by the instructor. In this case study, I will work on the care and management of the patient. In the introduction, the findings of the case will be outlined without mentioning the signs and symptoms. In this assignment, I am taking into consideration that I am a nurse and I need to provide care for the client.

I will be addressing to issues such as client assessment through which an overview of the patient would be provided. A comprehensive assessment of the patient's pain will be carried out while also attending to the patient's physical, cultural, social and psychological needs.

The patient, Mr. Baker was suspected of a urinary tract infection, Berger's disease and glomerulonephritis. After being examined in another outpatient clinic of Western Hospital, it was diagnosed after two additional tests that Mr. Baker was suffering from enlarged kidneys.

The patient's assessment will be followed by an elaboration on Patho-physiology and other factors that could have possibly contributed towards the problem.

Discussion

Overview of Patient

The patient's name is Mr. William Baker, aged 35 years. He is a bank manager by profession. The patient recently returned after spending the weekend skiing in the mountains of Victoria. Patient reported a loss of appetite since his return accompanied by a back pain. Last Saturday evening, the patient on return from football match felt chills and was extremely lethargic. He was driven to the clinic and underwent a series of tests. Physical examination provided the following details:

Temperature: 39.1 º C

Blood pressure: 145/105 mmHg

Pulse rate: 95 bpm

Respiratory rate: 25 breaths/min

Other observations included edema around the patient's eyes and ankles.

Past history showed that the patient had a sore throat three weeks back but did not receive any treatment.

A chest X-ray, ECG and preliminary laboratory tests were ordered by Dr Berlusconi. The X-rays and ECG results showed everything to be normal while BUN revealed 10.3 mmol/L. Urine tests showed presence of red blood cell casts and albumin.

The following results made the doctor suspect that the patient was suffering from a urinary tract infection, Berger's disease and glomerulonephritis. The following medications were prescribed by the doctor:

Ibuprofen, frusemide and erythromycin.

The patient was also referred to an outpatient clinic by the doctor where he underwent additional two tests, an anti-streptolysin O test and a renal ultrasound. The first test confirmed the presence of antibodies while the second showed enlarged kidneys.

Rationale behind further testing

The rationale behind these tests was to further deduce the type of kidney problem. Though it was already clear that the patient was suffering from a kidney problem, yet to provide the appropriate treatment, it was necessary to determine the exact nature of the problem. Renal ultrasound and anti-streptolysin O test would enable the correct diagnosis to be made.

Renal or kidney ultrasound is efficient in identifying kidney stones, Hydronephrosis, change in size of kidneys, any changes in ureters and bladder wall, or kidney tumor cysts. Critical information regarding the kidneys can ...