nursing case study

I. Health History
The subject of my case study is W. K. W.K. is a 95 year old white male who was admitted to Moses Cone Hospital on November 23, 2002. Prior to being admitted to the hospital, W. K. had been in excellent health. His troubles apparently began three weeks prior to being admitted. On November 23, W. K.’s son found him lying on the floor confused, and soaked in urine.

Mr. K. was diagnosed as having an acute cerebral vascular accident. This disorder can also be described as a “stroke”. It occurs when there is an interruption of normal blood flow in one or more of the blood vessels that supply the brain. Thrombosis, embolism, and hemorrhage are the primary causes of a CVA. (Sommers and Johnson 2002) The tissues of the brain become ischemic, leading to hypoxia or anoxia with destruction or necrosis of the neurons, glia, and vasculature. Complications of CVA include unstable blood pressure, sensory and motor impairment, infection, pneumonia, contractur...