Patient Case Scenario #1

Chris Parrish

Patient: Christopher Parrish

Diagnosis: Cystic fibrosis, weight loss, and fatigue

Brief Summary:

Christopher Parrish is an 18-year-old adolescent male who is hospitalized for management of cystic fibrosis with weakness and weight loss. He reports fatigue, and he has had a recent 6 kg (13.2 lb) weight loss. He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant and has had multiple hospitalizations for respiratory and nutritional support. A nasogastric (NG) tube has been placed for feedings.

Medications:

· Pancrelipase supplement 5 capsules PO QID with meals and at start of nightly tube feeding

· Multivitamin 2 tabs PO daily

· Potassium chloride 40 mEq PO daily

Orders:

· Vital signs every 4 hours

· Daily intake and output, and weight

· Chest X-ray: AP and lateral tomorrow morning

· Insert nasogastric tube

· Nutrition consult

· Diet: High-fat, high-calorie, high-protein regular diet, supplement with high-protein snacks in between meals

· Promote tube feedings (1.5 kcal/mL) in nasogastric tube; administer 720 kcal over 8 hours at night (infuse via pump from 2200-0600)

SBAR:

S: Christopher Parrish is an 19-year-old male who was admitted at 1900 today. His mother visited him at his college dormitory and was very concerned with his health; he seemed weak and had lost weight since she last saw him. She took him to see his primary care provider, and the provider admitted him and has ordered a tube feeding. An 8-French, 42-inch feeding tube was placed in his right nare about an hour ago, and x-ray just called and confirmed placement in the stomach. The pump is in his room. He is up to the bathroom prn; otherwise bed rest.

B: Christopher was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child and has had frequent hospitalizations previously. He reports fatigue and has recently lost 6 kg (13.2 lb) after he registered at the local college and moved to live in a dormitory, one month ago. Chris’s mom was here earlier, but she is a single parent and has two younger boys, so she had to go home.

A: Christopher is awake and alert. His heart rate and rhythm are regular at 85 bpm. Breath sounds are fine with a respiratory rate at 18/min and his SpO2 saturation is 98% on room air. His color is a bit pale. Blood pressure is 118/78 mm Hg. He reports no pain and states he’s not had much appetite the past few weeks. His skin turgor is > 3 seconds and his mucous membranes are dry. His belly is flat and nontender. Bowel sounds are normoactive. Chris is noted to have a persistent productive cough, and his sputum is noted to be thick and yellow in color. Chris tends to get short of breath with any strenuous activity. He was noted to become short of breath, with an increase in RR to 26 bpm, after walking in the hallway for about 10 minutes. His potassium level this morning was low at 3.2 mEq/L.

R: Christopher is due for vital signs and assessment. The tube feeding just arrived, and you will need to start it on the pump. He needs 720 kilocalories over 8 hours overnight. His regular diet is high calorie, high fat, but he wasn’t too hungry this evening; just had a bit of his chocolate shake. You will need to give his pancreatic enzymes orally before you start the tube feeding. You should also assess his diet and reinforce patient education on nutrition.