Clinical Reasoning Cycle for Patient Education of Healthy Aging

Running head: HEALTHY AGING
Clinical Reasoning Cycle
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1HEALTHY AGING
Introduction
The global population is currently proceeding towards rise of aging demographic. According to
the World Health Organization, the global population will have 22% geriatrics by 2050 (Facts
about ageing, 2014). This condition will create immense pressure on the healthcare industry,
which is why it is important to promote healthy aging amongst geriatric patients. As a nurse, it is
important to advocate for healthier lifestyle adaptation and prevent morbidities. The essay
discusses the patient education of healthy aging to a 62-year-old man named Mr. Johnson
through clinical reasoning cycle.
Discussion
Consider the Patient Situation
The patient came into the emergency unit, complaining that he is having chest pain, difficulty in
breathing and was coughing violently with sputum generation (Miravitlles et al., 2014). I was the
assigned nurse to the patient and when I interviewed him, he complained that his health was
deteriorating. When I asked the patient about his medication regime, he said he only takes
medicines for his hypertension condition. I also asked the patient about his family to which he
said he lives with his wife, has two children who stay out of town but visit him once a month,
and keep regular contact over phone. The patient is a heavy smoker and was previously
diagnosed with hypertension. I contemplated that the cause of his difficulty was Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD (Salvi & Barnes, 2010). I asked the patient about his
smoking to which he confided that he smokes two packets of cigarette every day. From the
interview, I also gathered that he does not adhere to any form of diet and is currently concerned

2HEALTHY AGING
about his health. From the interview, I gathered that the patient had started to smoke as a result
of peer pressure in his teenage years and is now trying to quit.
Collect Cues and Information
I arranged for respiratory tests, chest X-ray, CT scan and arterial blood gas analysis. I asked the
person to if he was able to cooperate for the Spirometry test, to which he said he could. This
would show the pulse oximetry, lung volume and diffusing capacity results (Johns, Walters &
Walters, 2014). The chest X-ray revealed that there were signs of emphysema in his lungs and
wheezing. The CT scan also showed positive results for COPD, which helped to started the
treatment process. The arterial blood-gas results showed that pH was normal; the lactate
concentration was a little high, which showed acidic condition in the lung compartment. The
PaCO2 level about 62mmHg, which meant he was a “pink-puffer”, the emphysema has spread in
his lungs and. The PaO2 was also quire low, which meant, hypoxic conditions were prevalent
inside the pulmonary compartment (Al-Kassimi & Alhamad, 2013). There was significant
obstruction in his pulmonary airway passage as indicated by the spirometer.
Process information
The treatment of the patient was commenced as soon as the results were clarified. Oxygen
supplementation was provided to him. Bronchodilators were administered to reduce the
hypertension condition (Make et al., 2012). The condition of the patient improved and he could
speak properly after which the interview was continued to educate the patient regarding the
importance of healthy aging. The patient should be educated regarding the side effects of
smoking, alcoholism and sedentary lifestyle. As a nurse, advocating healthy lifestyle, exercise
and advising on cutting down the substance of abuse (Patrick et al., 2011). The patient can be
taught the importance of healthy diet which will help him reduce his weight and control further