Body System Interrelatedness
S.P. is a 75-year-old female who presents to the provider’s office with fatigue.
Subjective Data
PMH: HTN, hyperlipidemia, MI 3 years ago
Fatigue started about a month ago, getting worse
Relieved with rest, exacerbated with activity
Denies chest pain
Ankles swollen
Objective Data
Vital signs: T 37 P 112 R 18 BP 110/54
Lungs: bilateral lower lobe crackles
O2 Sat = 94%
Skin = cool to touch
CV = heart rate regular, positive peripheral pulses, ECG = no changes
+2 edema bilateral ankles
Medications: Metoprolol 20 mg per day, 325 mg of aspirin per day (Jarvis, 2012).
- What other questions should the nurse ask about the fatigue? Provide a rationale for why these questions are important to your assessment.
- What kind of education would you provide S.P. based on the findings above and why?
- Think of some abnormal findings, and data, from assessments of other body systems/regions and why they might prompt you to look more closely at the heart.