EdCaN Case Study.

The  Essay is based on an EdCaN Case Study.

To locate this case study go to:
1.    http://edcan.org.au/edcan-learning-resources/case-based-learningresources/colorectal-cancer
2.    View the videos of John embedded in this continuing professional development module for nurses.  The following are the direct links to the videos:
•    http://edcan.org.au/edcan-learning-resources/case-based-learning-resources/colorectal-cancer/reducerisk/prevention
•    http://edcan.org.au/edcan-learning-resources/case-based-learning-resources/colorectal-cancer/findcondition-early/early-detection
•    http://edcan.org.au/edcan-learning-resources/case-based-learning-resources/colorectal-cancer/findcondition-early/responding
•    http://edcan.org.au/edcan-learning-resources/case-based-learning-resources/colorectal-cancer/activetreatment/adjuvant-therapy

The following additional information should be considered when addressing the Academic Essay:

ESSAY – CASE STUDY:

The above case study provides important background information about John, however your essay should consider the following:

In the case study John undergoes surgery. Following surgery John agrees to receive adjuvant chemotherapy that includes Fluorouracil. John calls the outpatient clinic (where he had his first cycle of chemotherapy. He had his first cycle of chemotherapy eight days ago and reports feeling unwell. You anticipate his white cell count will have decreased.  On the telephone John mentions the following points:

•    He has had two to three episodes of watery diarrhoea each day for the past five days. He eliminates small amounts of liquid stool, but the urge to go to the bathroom comes on quickly and strong.
•    He is distressed that on one occasion he was not able to make it to the bathroom in time and defecated on the floor in front of his wife. This is impacting on his willingness to leave the house and he feels upset by this as he now worries he will not be able to enjoy his life while undergoing chemotherapy.
•    He has regularly checked his temperature (twice a day) and reports no fever.
•    He denies having pain but does experience cramping sometimes before defecation.
•    He is having some nausea but no vomiting.  He reports taking the anti-emetic medication he has been prescribed every four hours for the nausea however this has not helped with the nausea.

John’s other medications that he takes at home include:
–    Dexamethasone 8 mg orally (PO) for 2 to 3 days post chemotherapy
–    Metoclopramide 10 mg PO one to two tablets every 4 to 6 hours when required

PREPARING TO WRITE:
To prepare for writing the essay, complete the Clinical Decision Making Framework template for all of John’s problems (the template is attached below).  This exercise should cover relevant assessment data that supports the identification of John’s problems, goals, possible interventions and evaluation criteria, and will help you focus on one problem for the essay below.  Include this template as Appendix 1 to the essay.  This does not need references and is not included in the word count.

ACADEMIC ESSAY:
The Essay requires you to address the following points based on the completed Clinical Decision Making Framework:

IDENTIFY PATIENT PROBLEM AND ITS POTENTIAL COMPLICATION(S)
Identify and explain the possible cause(s) of John’s problem (Choose only one (1) problem). Identify the potential complication(s) for John if the problem is not managed. Use evidence-based literature to support the explanation.

PROBLEM ASSESSMENT
Choose one (1) assessment tool that would be appropriate to use when assessing John’s problem. Include one page of this tool as Appendix 2.  Refer to this tool when providing a justification, with evidence-based literature, as to why this tool is appropriate for John. Identify the criteria from the assessment tool to evaluate the predicted outcome of any interventions recommended for John’s problem.

MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION
Choose one (1) priority* intervention (nursing and/or collaborative) that will best manage John’s problem. Use evidence-based literature to justify why this intervention is likely to manage John’s problem successfully.

INTERVENTION TO PREVENT COMPLICATION(S)
Choose one (1) priority* intervention (nursing and/or collaborative) that may prevent John from experiencing complications that could occur from John’s problem. Use evidence-based literature to justify this intervention.

* There are multiple possible interventions for John that may be appropriate. The term ‘priority’ requires you to focus on the intervention you feel is the most appropriate based on the research you conduct for this essay.  Do not discuss more than one intervention to manage John’s problem and one intervention to prevent complication(s) that could occur from John’s problem in your essay.

ESSAY – POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:
The above assessment task is best addressed using the following format:

Use the following headings:

Introduction [200 words]
Your introduction should include a brief overview of John’s problems as outlined in the Clinical Decision Making Framework and the one (1) problem that is the focus of your essay. The introduction should also outline the areas covered in the essay.

Patient Problem:________________ [300 words] This paragraph should discuss:
–    possible cause(s) of John’s problem
–    potential complication(s) for John if the problem is not managed

Problem assessment tool [300 words] This paragraph should discuss:
–    an assessment tool that would be appropriate to use when assessing John’s problem
–    the assessment tool criteria to evaluate interventions recommended for John’s problem

Management Intervention [500-700 words]Your intervention should discuss:
–    what the intervention is
–    how it works to manage the problem John is experiencing
–    how the intervention is administered (e.g. how much/how often etc.)
–    what the benefits are of this intervention for John
–    what the evidenced based literature says about the intervention
–    what the different perspectives/opinions/findings are regarding this intervention –     why this intervention is most suitable/appropriate for John

Prevention Intervention [500-700 words]

Your intervention should discuss:
–    what the intervention is
–    how it works to prevent John from experiencing complications from the problem d
–    how the intervention is administered (e.g. how much/how often etc.)
–    what the benefits are of this intervention for John
–    what the evidenced based literature says about the intervention
–    what the different perspectives/opinions/findings are regarding this intervention –     why this intervention is most suitable/appropriate for John

Conclusion [200 words]
Give a brief summary of the main points of the essay.

References [not included in word count]

Appendix 1 (Nursing Process Template for all of John’s problems) [not included in word count, and no references required]

Appendix 2 Problem Assessment Tool [not included in word count, and reference required]