Question: For This Discussion, Let’s Focus On The Medication Levothyroxine. Review The Following Scenario To Develop A Nursing Care Plan For This Patient Answering The Questions Below. Scenario: You Are The Nurse For Betty Almond, A 42 Year Old Female Bus Driver, Who Came To Her Provider Reporting Fatigue, Weight Gain, Feeling Cold All The Time, Thinning Hair, …

For this discussion, let’s focus on the medicationlevothyroxine. Review the following scenario to develop a nursingcare plan for this patient answering the questions below.

Scenario:

You are the nurse for Betty Almond, a 42 year old female busdriver, who came to her provider reporting fatigue, weight gain,feeling cold all the time, thinning hair, decreased appetite, anddifficulty concentrating. The patient has no significant medical orsurgical history and currently does not take any home medications.Patient lives alone and does not have family close by. Per patientshe dropped out of high school and ever since she has not beenclose to her family.

Vital Signs:

• Temperature: 96.2 F (normal 96.8-100.4F)
• HR: 54 beats/minute (normal 60-100 bpm)
• BP: 108/58 mm/Hg (normal <120/80 mm/Hg)
• RR: 16 respiration/minute (normal 12-20 rpm)

Lab Findings:

Physical Assessment Findings:

Patient is 5’4″ and weights 70 kg. Patient is alert and orientedX4, speech is slightly slow. She has a puffy face, with pale, cool,dry skin; thyroid gland is nonpalpable. Respirations even andunlabored, lungs clear throughout. Heart sounds auscultated-rateregular at 54 bpm, pulses equal bilaterally on upper and lowerextremities. Last bowel movement was 2 days ago- per patient shehas recently been having constipation- bowel sounds hypoactive inall 4 quadrants. Hand grips and foot pushes are equal bilaterally,but patient reports decrease in strength due to her “constantlyfeeling tired.”

Treatment Plan:

The patient’s provider diagnosed the patient with Hypothyroidismand prescribed levothyroxine 100 mcg per day and an appointment tofollow up with provider in 6 weeks for a repeat TSH lab. Whenpatient is given her prescription she appears apprehensive andstates “I have never taken medication before and I am feelingoverwhelmed.”

Answer the following questions in your initial reply:

1. What assessment findings led you to determine the patient mighthave hypothyroidism?
2. What Human Needs (problems) might this patient have?
3. What outcomes might be appropriate for this patient?
4. What interventions might you plan with your patient to help herreach her outcome?
5. What patient education regarding this medication should youprovide your patient?
   1. What the medication is for?
   2. When should she take the medication?
   3. What are common side effects?
   4. What are some adverse reactions she should be aware of and whenshould she contact her provider?
6. How would you evaluate the medications effectiveness?