Please use the concept map to plan care for Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson is a 38-year-old African American that presents with an altered level of consciousness (ALOC). He has been having headaches for the last three months but due to a hectic work schedule he has not been able to go to see his medical practitioner. During his last visit two years ago, his blood pressure was slightly elevated, but he never followed up. Upon arrival to the ED a CT scan is completed and it shows a large bleed near the frontal lobe. What should Mr. Jackson’s plan of care include?
ANSWER
Mr. Jackson is a 38-year-old African American male who presents with altered level of consciousness (ALOC) and a history of headaches. A CT scan shows a large bleed near the frontal lobe. Mr. Jackson’s plan of care should include the following:
Medical Management
Neurological consultation: A neurologist should be consulted to assess the severity of the bleed and to determine the best course of treatment.
Medications: Mr. Jackson may be given medications to help control his blood pressure and to reduce the risk of further bleeding.
Surgery: If the bleed is large or if it is causing neurological symptoms, surgery may be necessary to remove the clot.
Nursing Care
Vital signs monitoring: Mr. Jackson’s vital signs should be monitored closely to ensure that his blood pressure is stable and that he is not experiencing any other complications.
Neurological monitoring: Mr. Jackson’s level of consciousness should be monitored closely to assess for any changes.
Pain management: Mr. Jackson may be given pain medication to help control his headache.
Social Work
Social work should assess Mr. Jackson’s social support system and resources to determine if he needs any assistance with his care.
Discharge Planning
Mr. Jackson should be educated about his condition and the risks of re-bleeding.
Mr. Jackson should be given a list of warning signs to watch for, such as sudden headache, seizures, or weakness on one side of the body.
Mr. Jackson should be followed up with a neurologist on a regular basis to monitor his condition.
Prognosis
Mr. Jackson’s prognosis depends on the severity of the bleed and the promptness of treatment. With prompt treatment, most people with a brain bleed make a full recovery. However, some people may experience neurological complications, such as paralysis or cognitive impairment.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.