NSB021 Assessment 3
Comparative Essay
Due Date: Monday 31st October 2016
Assessment Task – Comparative Essay
Select one of the nursing care interventions listed (A to C below) for the patients in the clinical
scenarios. For the nursing intervention you select, develop a discussion of the specific
differences and similarities required in provision of nursing care for Mr. Stevens as compared to
Jane. Particularly focus on discussing how nursing care will need to be modified for the
intervention selected, based on the age and developmental considerations for each of the patients.
Use a mix of contemporary text and research articles to support your discussion points. It is
suggested that you use only a brief introduction and conclusion and employ the majority of the word
length in addressing the focus of the assessment task.
Submit via – Turn it in
Weighting : 60% Length: 1000 words
Check the Criteria Referenced Assessment (CRA) grid to review assessment expectations and the essay
example on blackboard before you start.
Clinical Scenarios
Interventions planned for both Mr Stevens and Jane include the following:
A. maintain adequate level of oxygenation
B. maintain safety when mobilising out of bed
C. maintain hydration and positive fluid balance
Mr. Stevens is a frail looking 85 year old man admitted to hospital today with a 7 day history of a
respiratory illness recently diagnosed as Influenza A with a secondary bacterial infection. He has
experienced a severe productive cough, fever and malaise. He looks pale and says he feels really
awful, faint and has a headache. His respirations are laboured and chest expansion is equal. In
handover night staff said he was disorientated at times during the night and removed his oxygen
mask so they changed him over to nasal prongs. Mr Stevens currently has oxygen 2 litres per minute
delivered by nasal prongs. His most recent vital signs are BP 140/85 mmhg lying down, pulse 96
beats/minute and regular, respirations 28 breathes/ minute, temperature 37.8C and Sa02 95%. When
the nurse inquires if he has pain Mr Stevens says he has a dull ache in his upper back that has got
a bit better since another nurse got him a hot pack. He has an intravenous bung in his right
forearm through which antibiotics are administered. Mr. Stevens usually lives independently with
his wife of 60 years in their Brisbane home. He uses a walking stick when mobilising to aid his
balance.
Jane is a 4 year old girl accompanied by her mother and admitted today with a 72 hour history of a
respiratory illness recently diagnosis as Influenza A, with a secondary bacterial infection. She
has experienced high fever, frequent coughing and running nose at home. Mum, Anne says ‘I bought
her in as she seemed so unwell and miserable, Jane is unusually quiet and wants to stay in bed or
be sitting on my lap which is very abnormal for her’. Jane has an intravenous bung in her right
forearm through which antibiotics are administered. Jane also has oxygen 1 litre per minute
delivered by nasal prongs. Night staff said she removed the nasal prongs several times in her sleep
and has been crying and angry when staff have cleaned mucus from her nostrils and replaced them.
She told Anne ‘it hurts when I cough’. Her most recent vital signs are pulse 124 beats/minute and
regular, respirations 30 breathes/ minute, temperature 37.8C, Sa02 95%. Peripheral capillary refill
on the skin of her knee is a little slow at 2 seconds. Both Jane and Anne are accommodated in a
single room with Anne staying as a ‘boarding parent’. Jane is the youngest of 2 siblings in this
family. Anne is able to stay in hospital with Jane as her other child is being cared for by her
grandmother.