Explain a patient education strategy you might recommend for assisting your patient with the management of their health needs

Explain a patient education strategy you might recommend for assisting your patient with the management of their health needs. Be specific and provide examples.

This week’s scenario includes a 68-year-old male, HH admitted to the hospital with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) for the last 3 days. Past medical

history includes COPD, HTN, Hyperlipidemia, and Diabetes. He is currently on Ceftriaxone 1g IV daily and  Azithromycin 500 mg IV daily for the last 3 days. HH 

has been improving with decreased need for oxygen. He is not tolerating a diet and reports nausea and vomiting. HH has an allergy to Penicillin reporting a 

rash when he takes it. 

        Community-acquired pneumonia is an infection from viruses, fungi, parasites, or bacteria in your lungs. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest p

pain, and coughing with sputum (Cedars Siani, n.d.). The pharmacotherapeutics that would be recommended for CAP would start with a comprehensive 

assessment. Vitals signs would be recorded and a blood glucose fingerstick would follow since HH has not had any appetite. A set of labs would be ordered to 

evaluate his hydration and nutritional status. IV fluids would be started to decrease possible dehydration. 

        Reported nausea and vomiting are likely secondary to antibiotic use. Nutrition and hydration are important when utilizing antibiotics. The lack of nutrition 

can also cause nausea. Nutrition is vital for a diabetic. The lack of nutrients can cause hypoglycemia. Frequent fingersticks will be initiated for blood glucose

monitoring every 6 hours unless symptoms of hypoglycemia present. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness, sweating, irritability, heart palpitations,

dizziness, and confusion (American Diabetes Association, n.d.).HH would be encouraged to eat a BRAT diet consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast

to provide rest for the gut. 

      The scenario reports that HH’s oxygen is improving, therefore the antibiotics administered the last 3 days will be continued for at least 5-7 days until

labs are re-drawn, blood cultures are finalized, and a repeat chest x-ray is reviewed. Azithromycin is “in a class called macrolide antibiotics and works by killing

bacteria and preventing growth” (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). Ceftriaxone is “a beta-lactam, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with a bactericidal activity” (National

Cancer Institute, n.d.). Antibiotics are the known treatment for CAP. 

        Education for HH would be provided throughout the treatment. CAP would be explained as well as the antibiotics that treat CAP. Side effects would be 

made clear for antibiotic use. The importance of hydration and nutrition would be encouraged throughout the hospitalization and also when discharged home. 

The importance of frequent fingersticks with diabetes and lack of nutrition. Possible complications of CAP would be discussed such as lung abscesses and 

respiratory failure possibilities. Lastly, how to prevent CAP in the future would be verbalized such as how diabetes weakens the immune system posing a higher

risk of acquiring CAP.