Assessment and Care of Patients With Conditions of the Head, Neck, Esophagus, and Diaphragm
Health conditions involving the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm can disrupt patients’ daily lives, making surgical interventions necessary. Consider Janice Savage-Martin, who frequently experienced impaired breathing, congestion, and headaches. These symptoms and the pain associated with them put a strain on her normal routine and ability to work. After being diagnosed with turbinates and a deviated septum, providers recommended surgery to shrink the blood vessels in the turbinates. Like many surgical patients, however, Janice was concerned that her recovery would be painful and might lead to further health complications (Methodist Health System, 2015). As an advanced practice nurse who cares for surgical patients like Janice, you will play significant role in educating patients, easing concerns, and providing evidence-based care. Assessment and Care of Patients With Conditions of the Head, Neck, Esophagus, and Diaphragm
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This week, as you explore the pre- and post-operative care of patients with conditions related to the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm, you examine strategies for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this week, students will:
- Evaluate medical and surgical patients with conditions related to the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm
- Develop differential diagnoses for medical and surgical patients with conditions related to the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm
- Develop treatment plans for medical and surgical patients with conditions related to the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm
Photo Credit: Mario Gh/EyeEm/EyeEm/Getty Images
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Colyar, M. R. (2015). Advanced practice nursing procedures (1st ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.
- Chapter 69, “Occipital Nerve Block”
- Chapter 72, “Corneal Abrasion and Foreign Body Removal—Eye”
- Chapter 73, “Eye Drop Insertion”
- Chapter 74, “Eye Irrigation”
- Chapter 75, “Eye Trauma Stabilization”
- Chapter 78, “Auricular Hematoma Evacuation”
- Chapter 81, “Epistaxis Control”
- Chapter 82, “Laryngoscopy”
- Chapter 83, “Nasal Lavage”
- Chapter 84, “Removal of Foreign Body—Ear and Nose”
- Chapter 85, “Frenotomy for Ankyloglossia”
- Chapter 86, “Lip Laceration Repair”
- Chapter 87, “Tongue Laceration Repair”
Doherty, G. M. (2015). Current diagnosis and treatment: Surgery (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
- Chapter 15, “Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery”
- Chapter 16, “Thyroid and Parathyroid”
- Chapter 20, “Esophagus & Diaphragm”
- Chapter 37, “The Eye & Ocular Adenxa”
Weber, E. C., Vilensky, J. A., & Fog, A. M. (2013). Practical radiology: A symptom-based approach. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.
- Chapter 5, “EENT Imaging”
Javan, R., Machin, J. E., McGinnis, R. S., Moinuddin, M., & Sarti, M. (2013). Thyroid ultrasound top 10 pathology. Retrieved from http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/courses/rad/Thyroid_Ultrasound/index.html, Assessment and Care of Patients With Conditions of the Head, Neck, Esophagus, and Diaphragm
Wipperman, J. L., & Dorsch, J. N. (2013). Evaluation and management of corneal abrasions. American Family Physician, 87(2), 114–120. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0115/p114.html
Required Media
i-Human Patient Cases. (2014). Retrieved from https://ih2.i-human.com/users/sign_in
Seger, D. (2010). EGD (upper endoscopy) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvudWuvMjtA
Assignment 1: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Pre- and Post-Operative Care Patients – Head, Neck, Esophagus, and Diaphragm
There are many common health conditions associated with the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm. Although these conditions and their related symptoms usually are managed easily, a delay in treatment can result in sensory debility such as hearing loss or sight loss. For this Assignment, as you examine this week’s i-Human patient case study, consider how you might evaluate and treat pre- and post-operative patients who present with health conditions related to the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm.
To prepare:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources. With the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm in mind, consider how to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in pre- and post-operative care.
- Review this week’s i-Human case study. Based on the patient information provided, think about the health history you would need to collect from the patient.
- Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. Reflect on how the results would be used to make a diagnosis.
- Identify three to five possible conditions to consider in a differential diagnosis for the patient.
- Consider the patient’s diagnosis. Think about clinical guidelines that might support this diagnosis.
- Develop a treatment plan for the patient that includes health promotion and patient education strategies for medical and surgical patients with conditions related to the head, neck, esophagus, and diaphragm.
To complete:
As you interact with this week’s i-Human patient, complete the assigned case study. For guidance on using i-Human, refer to the i-Human Patients Case Player Student Manual in the Week 2 Learning Resources.
By Day 7
This Assignment is due.
Grading Information
Week 3 i-Human Rubric
Assignment 2: Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) AGPCNP 150 University Exit Comprehensive Exam
The Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) AGACNP 150 University Exit Comprehensive Exam is a learning activity used to guide your preparation for your national certification exams. The results of the exam will help you understand how well prepared you are for your national certification exams and the areas in which you need to further prepare.
In Weeks 1 or 2 of this course, you should have received an email from Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) explaining how to access the Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) AGACNP 150 University Exit Comprehensive Exam. Please follow the directions FHEA provided and complete the exam. Assessment and Care of Patients With Conditions of the Head, Neck, Esophagus, and Diaphragm
This exam is graded on a S/U basis. You must complete the exam by Day 7 of Week 3 to receive the grade of ‘S’.
By Day 7
Complete the Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) AGACNP 150 University Exit Comprehensive Exam.
Week in Review
This week you evaluated medical and surgical patients with head, neck, esophagus and diaphragm conditions/injuries with the realization that delays in treatment could result in hearing or sight loss, and developed differential diagnoses and treatment plans for these conditions.
Next week you will study the pre- and post-operative care of patients with cardiovascular conditions and examine strategies for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Assessment and Care of Patients With Conditions of the Head, Neck, Esophagus, and Diaphragm