Patient Education Plan

Pamela is 30 years old and a married Filipina with a two-year-old daughter. She was born in the Philippines and came to the United States at age 13. She has a high school diploma and she attended Cal Poly Pomona and received her degree in Electrical Engineering. She works Monday thru Friday at least eight to nine hours a day and still takes work home. When Pamela was 16 years old, she had an appendectomy. She enjoys drinking alcohol every week with her friends during happy hour since she was 21 years old. Otherwise she has no other significant medical istory. Her family history is very significant especially from maternal grandmother and grandfather who passed way with diabetes and paternal grandmother who passed away with lung cancer and paternal grandfather who passed away with brain aneurysm. Her mother currently has high blood pressure and her father has nothing significant going right now. Just about a few days ago Pamela showed symptoms of abdominal pain and projectile vomiting that had her husband worried about her and took her straight to the emergency room. Her pancreatic enzymes were levated, her abdominal ultrasound and CT of the abdomen showed inflammation of her pancreas. She was then admitted for further evaluation. Introduction Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. With pancreatitis, the pancreas becomes inflamed, edematous, hemorrhagic, and necrotic. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that is located behind the stomach towards the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes, which help regulate the way your body digest glucose. Chronic pancreatitis is the progressive destruction of he pancreas as characterized by permanent loss of endocrine and exocrine function. The patient usually has chronic pain. Most studies of the pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis are performed with patients who drink alcohol as stated by Nair, Lawler & Miller (2007). The signs and symptoms for acute pancreatitis are upper abdominal pain, which could radiate to the back, you would feel worse after eating a meal and there will be nausea and vomiting. There will be tenderness when the abdomen is being touched. The signs and symptoms f chronic pancreatitis is also upper abdominal pain, weight loss, indigestion and oily and foul smelling stool. Complications of pancreatitis include breathing problems that could be due to the oxygen level is low in the blood, diabetes may occur since the pancreas is the organ that produces insulin, infection may occur and have the pancreas be vulnerable of bacteria, acute pancreatitis may lead to kidney failure which could lead to hemodialysis if it is not treated. Malnutrition could be another complication since the pancreas cannot break down the food because a few nzymes are being produced. If the chronic pancreatitis does not get treated and it’s still reoccurring it could lead to pancreatic cancer. Treatment for this disease is hospitalization to stabilize the patient. Having her not consume any food during her stay will help the pancreas recover fully. Once its in control then liquid diet and advancing the diet may be course of treatment. A nutritionist will be involved in her care. IV fluids will help her stay hydrated. Pain is another factor to this disease and pain medications will be prescribed. At discharge some alternative therapy might help alleviate the pain. As mentioned on WebMD Tylenol should be avoided (2011). Exercises, yoga and meditation might be of good help to distract her. It can’t treat what she has but it could keep her comfortable. Age and Development/Educational Need In Erickson’s developmental theory Pamela is a young adult in Erickson’s that is Intimacy and Isolation. As long you have her trust in you, I believe using direct measurement as the approach of her method of learning. Just observing her behavior can help me distinguish hether or not she will be compliant. But during our session I noticed that she is willing and eager to learn and get well soon and she has shown that she is willing to be involved with her treatment. She has verbalized her understanding of what she needs to do once she goes home. Effect on Quality of Life Pamela would have to change her life style as she recovers from being diagnosed with Pancreatitis. She has to realize that whatever she has been doing on a daily basis would have to change. Her drinking of beer during happy hour every week has to stop. She’s not a smoker, hich is great. She has to drink lots of fluids and eat less fat on her diet. She would have to eat more fruits and vegetables, consume more whole grains and water. Perceived Challenges Pamela has always enjoyed her social life in going out with her friends to happy hour every week. Having to let that go might be a little difficult, being that she has always been going out ritually since she was 21 years of age. She is considered to be a very busy person that she uses alcohol to relieve her stress. So having her to give alcohol might be somewhat of a challenge. Eventually, with the support of her family and her husband especially might help her get through this stride. I see a person who is willing and get better not just for herself but for her daughter. Summary Teaching Pamela has been an experience. She showed to be very knowledgeable and very receptive. She asked questions that were relevant to her condition and since she asked shows me that she interested in getting better. She is willing to receive the help that she needs. She has verbalized her understanding and will call her physician if any of the symptoms reoccur.