Nursing Care for a Patient with Acute Respiratory Failure due to Pneumonia and Concurrent Shock: A Case Study

Abstract

This case study aimed to investigate a female patient with acute bronchitis who later developed acute respiratory failure and were treated with endotracheal intubation and high-flow nasal cannula, respectively. The 89-year-old patient was admitted to Singburi Hospital in April 2016. Data were collected from the patient's medical records, and a comprehensive analysis was conducted. Nursing diagnoses were established, a nursing care plan was developed, and nursing interventions were implemented. The patient's progress was continuously assessed, including critical, subcritical phases, and preparation for discharge.

The results revealed that the patient had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cerebral infarction. She was reported by relatives to have experienced poor oral intake, fever, and dyspnea. He was able to independently feed herself at home.  The patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. In the treatment process, she underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in the geriatric ward, receiving antimicrobial therapy. Later, she was weaned from mechanical ventilation using high-flow oxygen. Nursing care was provided, and the patient was discharged after a 14-day in-hospital stay.

Therefore, the role of nurses is crucial as they require knowledge and skills to provide critical care nursing. This involves continuous monitoring and assessing changes in the patient's condition, vigilance for significant complications, and appropriate discharge planning. The nursing goal for providing care to patients with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure is to reduce their mortality rates and prevent hospital readmissions.