George and Vera both lived together in their own home on Plum Lane in The Burroughs They had been married for over 50 years—they had one daughter, and the good life: Nursing Assignment, UOE, UK

learning outcomes

•  Outline and describe physiological principles of how the body achieves balance and imbalance with specific reference to physical, psychological and behavioural stress responses.
• Discuss pharmacology with reference to the nurse’s role in medicines optimisation

SCENARIO

George and Vera both lived together in their own home on Plum Lane in The Burroughs. They had been married for over 50 years—they had one daughter, and good life, and a supportive circle of friends. Several years ago, Vera was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and recently died in a residential care home from Covid-19. George had been her primary carer in their home. George has been going through a period of sadness, coming to terms that Vera will no longer be there.

George is 80 years old, and he has just been admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department of the local hospital. Following several investigations, it was deemed necessary to transfer him to a medical ward.

His  40-year-old daughter, who lives in Manchester, worried that George was not answering his phone, visited him. She found him sitting in a chair, staring at the television in the lounge. He looked unshaven, unkempt, and eyes sunken. He appeared to be flushed and reddish. His daughter tried to speak with him, but he was relatively quiet and withdrawn. She looked around and discovered and could smell a strong odour of urine. His blood pressure tablets were in the container on the table, and it appears he has not been taking them as the container is full.

She tried to get him to stand up to wash, but he appeared to have a weakness on one side, hence was unable to get up. She went into the kitchen, only to find the fridge empty.

The daughter became very concerned and rang for an ambulance. The paramedic felt it was urgent to take him to the hospital.