Nursing Homework Diagnosis Week 7

Faculty: Leonardo Trobajo Lobayna, DNP, ARNP-BC

Course: Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management

Title: Comprehensive Case Study – Diagnostic and Treatment Management Plan

Purpose and Learning Outcomes:

This signature assignment aligns with the following course and program outcomes:

• Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning in diagnosing acute and chronic illness

• Develop evidence-based management plans

• Integrate social determinants of health and cultural competence into care

• Apply current guidelines to clinical decision-making

Assignment Overview:

You will develop and submit a comprehensive, evidence-based case study analyzing a complex patient presentation. This assignment demonstrates your ability to collect and synthesize clinical data, formulate accurate differential diagnoses, and implement a patient-centered treatment plan grounded in current practice guidelines.

Case Study Requirements:

1. Patient Scenario (Real or Simulated):

• Age, sex, race/ethnicity

• Chief complaint (CC)

• History of Present Illness (HPI)

• Past Medical History (PMH)

• Family History (FH)

• Social History (SH)

• Review of Systems (ROS)

• Physical Examination Findings (PE)

2. Differential Diagnosis:

• List at least 3 differential diagnoses

• Justify each differential using:

o Presenting signs/symptoms

o Pathophysiology

o Risk factors

o Diagnostic criteria

3. Final Diagnosis:

• Identify the most likely diagnosis

• Explain the rationale

• Cite at least two current evidence-based guidelines or scholarly sources

4. Diagnostic Workup Plan:

• Labs, imaging, or additional testing

• Provide rationale for each

• 5. Treatment & Management Plan:

• Non-pharmacologic interventions

• Patient education

• Follow-up and referrals, if needed

• 6. Cultural, Ethical, or Socioeconomic Considerations:

• Address any relevant patient-specific factors that influence care

• 7. Evaluation of Outcomes:

• How will you measure the effectiveness of your treatment plan?

• Short- and long-term follow-up goals

Formatting Guidelines:

• APA 7th edition formatting

• 4-6 pages (excluding title and reference pages)

• Minimum of 3 peer-reviewed or clinical guideline references (within 5 years)

• Use headings for organization (MRU School)

Grading Rubric Highlights:

• Criteria • Points

• History and Clinical Data • 20

• Differential Diagnosis • 35

• Final Diagnosis Justification • 20

• Management Plan (Rx + Non-Rx) • 10

• Cultural/Patient-Centered Care • 5

• Use of Evidence & Guidelines • 5

• Organization, APA, Grammar • 5

Total • 100

Faculty: Leonardo Trobajo Lobayna, DNP, ARNP-BC

Sample Signature Assignment

Course: Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management

Title: Comprehensive Case Study – Diagnostic and Treatment Management Plan

Student Name FNP Program, University Name Date

1. Patient Scenario

Patient Information:

• Name: Mrs. Linda Thompson

• Age: 56 years old

• Sex: Female

• Ethnicity: African American

• Chief Complaint (CC): "I'm tired all the time and short of breath when I walk."

2. History and Clinical Data

History of Present Illness (HPI): Mrs. Thompson reports progressive fatigue and dyspnea on exertion over the past 6 weeks. She denies chest pain but has occasional palpitations. She notices ankle swelling in the evenings and finds herself needing

extra pillows to sleep at night.

Past Medical History (PMH):

• Hypertension (diagnosed 8 years ago)

• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Hyperlipidemia

Family History (FH):

• Father died of myocardial infarction at age 60

• Mother has congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes

Social History (SH):

• Smoked one pack/day for 20 years (quit 5 years ago)

• Drinks Wine Occasionally

• No illicit drug use

• Works as a school administrator

• Lives with husband

Review of Systems (ROS):

• Positive: fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, ankle swelling

• Negative: fever, chills, chest pain, weight loss

Physical Exam (PE):

• Vital signs: BP 152/88, HR 92, RR 20, Temp 98.6°F, SpO₂ 95% RA

• General: alert, appears fatigued

• Heart: S1, S2 normal; S3 present

• Lungs: bibasilar crackles

• Extremities: 1+ pitting edema in ankles bilaterally

• Skin: no cyanosis or rash

3. Differential Diagnoses

1. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

• Rationale: Symptoms of dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, edema, S3 heart sound, and bibasilar crackles point toward CHF. Her risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, and smoking history.

2. Anemia

• Rationale: Fatigue and dyspnea can also suggest anemia, especially in postmenopausal women. Need labs to confirm.

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Rationale: Former smoker with dyspnea may suggest COPD, but clear lungs and no wheezing make it less likely.

4. Final Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Congestive Heart Failure – NYHA Class II

• Rationale: Classic presentation and physical findings match systolic heart failure. She has exertional symptoms but is comfortable at rest.

References:

• Yancy et al. (2022). ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure • UpToDate Clinical Summary: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)

5. Diagnostic Workup Plan

Test Purpose

BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)

Elevated in CHF

EKG Assess for arrhythmias or LV hypertrophy

Chest X-ray Look for pulmonary edema or cardiomegaly

Echocardiogram Gold standard to evaluate ejection fraction

CBC Rule out anemia

BMP Assess electrolytes, kidney function

A1c and Lipid Panel Diabetes and cardiovascular risk

6. Management Plan

a. Pharmacologic:

1. Lisinopril 10 mg PO daily – ACE inhibitor for BP and heart failure

2. Furosemide 20 mg PO daily – Loop diuretic for volume overload

3. Metoprolol succinate 25 mg PO daily – Beta-blocker to reduce cardiac workload

4. Atorvastatin 40 mg PO at bedtime – Hyperlipidemia

b. non-pharmacologic:

• Sodium-restricted diet (<2g/day)

• Fluid restriction (<2L/day)

• Daily weights at home

• Moderate physical activity as tolerated

• Smoking cessation reinforcement

• c. Patient Education:

• Educate on signs of fluid overload

• Importance of medication adherence

• When to seek medical attention (e.g., rapid weight gain, worsening dyspnea)

• d. Referrals and Follow-Up:

• Refer to cardiology

• Nutrition consults for heart-healthy diet

• Recheck labs in 1–2 weeks

• Follow-up in clinic in 2 weeks

7. Cultural and Socioeconomic Considerations

• Mrs. Thompson lives in an underserved urban area with limited access to specialists. Will use telehealth for cardiology.

• Discussed potential medication costs and prescribed generics when possible.

• Cultural consideration: Incorporate dietary preferences into low-sodium plan (e.g., seasoning alternatives for traditional Southern dishes).

8. Outcome Evaluation Plan

• Goal: Symptom improvement within 2 weeks

• Monitoring: Daily weights, BP log, symptom diary

• Labs: Reassess BMP and BNP at follow-up

• Long-term: Maintain EF > 40%, prevent hospitalization

9. References

1. Yancy, C. W., et al. (2022). 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure. Circulation.

2. UpToDate. (2024). Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis.

3. American Diabetes Association. (2023). Standards of Care in Diabetes.