Medical Case Study: Cardiovascular System
For this unit's medical connections we will be exploring a case study. Read some information about the incident and use your prior knowledge to assess the patients health.
Assignment:
- Mr. Hutchinson, a middle aged victim of a large car collision on Route 91, has a tourniquet around his thigh when admitted in an unconscious state to Noble Hospital. The emergency technician who brings him in states that his lower limb was pinned beneath a bus for at least 30 minutes. He is immediately scheduled for surgery. Admission notes include the following:
1) Multiple contusions of lower limbs
2) Compound fracture of the right tibia; bone ends covered with sterile gauze
3) Right leg blanched and cold, no pulse
4) Blood pressure 90/48; pulse 140/min and thready; patient diaphoretic (sweaty)
Questions (Answer in Module Guide)
1) Relative to what you learned about the tissue requirements for oxygen, what is the condition of the tissues in the right lower limb.
2) Will the fracture be attended to, or will Mr. Hutchinson's other homeostatic needs to take precedence? Explain your answer choice and predict his surgical treatment.
3) What do you conclude regarding Mr. Hutchinson's cardiovascular measurements (pulse and BP), and what measures do expect will be taken to remedy the situation before commencing surgery?