Two aspects that negatively impact Lowanna’s health outcomes

ASSESSMENT ITEM 3: DESCRIPTION

In this assessment you will clinically apply the principles of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) (such as selecting management options wisely, choosing suitable medicines, and using medicines safely and effectively) to the following case study.

Your assessment should include the following:

1. An analysis of the case study from a QUM perspective and identification of two [2] risk factors that will negatively impact Lowanna’s health outcomes.

2. For each risk factor, identify two [2] QUM strategies (total of four [4] strategies) you could introduce into Lowanna’s plan of care.

3. Using contemporary scholarly literature, JUSTIFY how these strategies would improve Lowanna’s health outcome.

Assessment format

This is a case study; an introduction or conclusion are not required. Subheadings are acceptable, dot points kept to a minimum and if an appendix is used it must enhance content, it does not replace the content. The paper must be written in 3rd person. Use 7th edition APA referencing style and format throughout the paper. A DOI must be provided for all references in the reference list.

Case study:

Lowanna is an Aboriginal female, 60yrs of age. Lowanna has presented to the clinic with a general decline in her physical and mental health. Lowanna has had a previous hospitalisation for depression and was discharged from a mental health facility 6 months ago. Lowanna was accompanied to the clinic by her concerned daughter. Lowanna has not been looking after her hygiene needs and spends many hours in bed or in her chair. Prior to her current mental health concerns, Lowanna was quite active in the community and used to work at the local school, teaching art and music to primary school children and volunteered at a local community centre. Lowanna retired 5 years ago when her husband passed away, which is also when her depression and anxiety began. Lowanna states she feels tired all the time and prefers to stay at home and no longer attends her volunteer group. Lowanna’s daughter has expressed concerns about Lowanna’s weight gain in the last few years and is worried about her mother’s depression, her reduced mobility, isolation, and ability to care for herself. Lowanna lives alone in her unit which is a second story unit accessible only by stairs. Lowanna’s daughter tries to visit her at least once a week to help Lowanna with her housecleaning and to help run errands, such as collecting scripts from the pharmacy. Lowanna has bought in a bag of medicine bottles and boxes with her, some with labels missing. Lowanna states she takes the white pills in the morning, and the coloured pills in the evening, and has not visited her GP in about 12 months. Lowanna’s daughter states her mother is a private person and doesn’t talk much about her mental or physical health issues.

Lowanna’s observations on arrival:

• Heart rate 80bpm

• Blood pressure 160/95mmHg
• Temperature 36.9 °C
• Respirations 20rpm

• Oxygen saturations 94% room air
• Blood glucose level 14 mmol/L

Lowanna has a history of the following medical and surgical disorders:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Depression
• Anxiety

• Current smoker

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• Osteoporosis

• Hypothyroidism
• Hypertension
• Iron deficiency anaemia

• Obesity (BMI of 38)
• Previous right knee replacement 3 years ago.

Lowanna is currently prescribed the following medications:

• Metformin 500mg BD

• Gliclazide 60mg MR mane

• Thiamine 100mg mane
• Pantoprazole 40mg mane
• Venlafaxine 150mg mane

• Amitriptyline 100mg nocte
• Lorazepam 1mg PRN
• Diazepam 5mg nocte

• Vitamin D and calcium supplements (dosage unknown)
• Iron supplements (dosage unknown)
• Metoprolol 50mg mane

END OF CASE STUDY