Blood Clots

a description of what went wrong in the case study that you selected, as well as why patient blood clots continue to be misdiagnosed. Then, explain

how you might have prevented the misdiagnosis of the patient in the study. Include strategies for obtaining patient history, ordering diagnostics,

and recommending potential treatment options.

Case Study 2:
A 50-year-old white male went to the emergency department with complaints of right leg pain. The patient is an avid runner, and knowing this, the

provider diagnosed the patient with a right leg muscle strain. The patient was sent home with Flexeril as needed and Motrin 800 mg q8h as needed.

One week later, the patient followed up with his primary care doctor with continued right leg pain. His doctor instructed him to continue to take

the muscle relaxant and Motrin, and advised that the pain should subside in 5–10 days. The following day the right leg pain increased, prompting the

patient to return to the emergency department. Multiple providers failed to diagnose a blood clot in the patient’s right leg.
To prepare:
• Review Part 11 of the Buttaro et al. text in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Select one of the cased studies provided. Reflect on what went wrong in this case study, as well as why patient blood clots continue to be

misdiagnosed.
• Think about how you might have prevented the misdiagnosis of the patient the case study. Consider strategies for obtaining patient history,

ordering diagnostics, and recommending potential treatment options.
• Advanced Practice Care of Adults Across the Life Span (NURS – 6531N – 20)
• Week 4
• www.mywaldenu.edu

Readings
• Buttaro, T. M., Trybulski, J., Polgar Bailey, P., & Sandberg-Cook, J. (2013). Primary care: A collaborative practice (4th ed.). St. Louis,

MO: Mosby.
o Part 4, “Office Emergencies”
 Chapter 29, “Bradycardia and Tachycardia” (pp. 198–202)

This chapter covers the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, physical examination, and diagnostics of bradycardia and tachycardia.

Differential diagnoses for these disorders are also explored.
 Chapter 30, “Cardiac Arrest” (pp. 202–205)

This chapter examines factors contributing to the onset of cardiac arrest, as well as methods for managing patients with cardiac arrest.
 Part 11, “Evaluation and Management of Cardiovascular Disorders” (pp. 487–611)

This part explores diagnostics of cardiovascular disorders, including how to differentiate between normal and abnormal test results. It also

outlines components of patient history and physical exams that help determine differential diagnoses for cardiovascular disorders.
 Part 18, “Evaluation and Management of Hematologic Disorders” (pp. 1139–1181)

This part examines causes and effects of hematologic disorders, as well as resulting symptoms and alterations. It also provides a differential

diagnosis for hematologic disorders and outlines methods for managing patients.
o Courtenay, M. (2000). Reading and Interpreting the Electrocardiogram. In Advanced nursing skills: Principles and practice (pp. 39–55).

London: Greenwich Medical Media. Retrieved from http://assets.cambridge.org/97818411/00364/sample/9781841100364WS.pdf

This chapter examines how the heart functions, as well as how to read and interpret electrocardiograms.
o LearnTheHeart.com. (2005). ECG basics. Retrieved from http://www.learntheheart.com/ecg-review/ecg-interpretation-tutorial/introduction-to-

the-ecg/

This website outlines the basics of electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG), including how to interpret results.
Optional Resources
o American Heart Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
o Drugs.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from www.drugs.com
o Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from http://www.ismp.org/
o Million Hearts. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html
o National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
o WebMD. (2012). Medscape. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/

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