Discharge Planning for Joseph Russo: A Case Study

Running head: CNA 345
Nursing assignment
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CNA 345
Introduction- Most patients often require help after they leave the healthcare setting
and with adequate planning, most patients can leave the centres much earlier, with a
comfortable recovery at their homes. Trip to hospitals have been found to be intimidating for
patients, their family members and friends. The word discharge planning most commonly
refers to the procedure that is employed for deciding what are the requirements and
preferences of the patients, for a hassle free transition from one domain of care to other
(Cameron 2018). In the words of Gonçalves‐Bradley et al. (2016) the discharge planning
involves several concepts namely, (i) evaluation, (ii) discussion, (iii) planning, (iv)
determining, (v) referral, and (vi) arranging. This assignment will elaborate on the discharge
planning of Joseph Russo, who had been admitted to the hospital after being found
unconscious inside his car.
Considering the patient situation- Joseph Rousseau was born in Manarola, Italy in
1950 and was the youngest office siblings and close to his parents. He had been brought to
the Emergency Department after Emma discovered light in his shed, and found him sitting
unconscious inside the car. Following several days of treatment Joseph has now been
declared medically fit and is ready to be discharged from the hospital.
Collecting cues- Joseph got married at the age of 17 to Sophia and migrated to
Australia in 1970 for better work prospects. He worked hard for several years and gradually
established his small business, and was known in the community as a likeable, happy and
hard working man. They became father to Antonio in 1971 and Emma, a year later. Sophia
enter a state of grief and sorrow in 1979 when she found that her third side will stillborn at
full term, which resulted in heavy smoking, isolation and loss of appetite. While Joseph's son
Antonio dropped out of University and started working for his father, his daughter Emma
started a family with her partner and gave birth to Thomas, who was diagnosed with ASD.
Antonio had huge gambling problem that resulted in massive financial crisis, followed by his

2CNA 345
departure from Australia. Joseph currently cares for Sophia, who has been diagnosed with
heart failure and COPD. On arrival of the ambulance, Joseph was found unresponsive could
not breathe and manifested a weak carotid pulse.
Gathering information- An analysis of the data presented in the case study suggests
that carbon monoxide poisoning was the primary reason that resulted in admission of the
patient to the Emergency Department. Exposure to the gas for prolonged period results in
severe neurological damage, which might also lead to death (Grandjean & Landrigan 2014).
Joseph’s state can be accredited to the fact that large exposures result in arrhythmia, seizures,
loss of consciousness and death (Beppu 2014). This exposure was also responsible for the
development of hypotensive symptoms, where the blood pressure readings were below
normal. This required the administration of vasopressors and intravenous fluids for achieving
mean arterial pressure higher than 65-70 mmHg. Other noticeable symptoms were, increased
body temperature and increased heart rate, commonly referred to as tachycardia. Hence,
medications and catheter ablation were performed in the patient for preventing episodes of
increased heart rate.
Issue identification- A complete discharge assessment of Joseph should encompass
several issues that are necessary to be reported in the discharge summary namely, (i) blister
on left heel, (ii) lack of participation in discussions, (iii) delirium, (iv) apathy and withdrawal,
(v) residential care facilities, (vi) Sophia’s current health, and (vii) Emma and her difficulties
in managing all her responsibilities, including her child Thomas, who has been diagnosed
with ASD (Nurjannah et al. 2014). The fact should be taken into consideration that although
Joseph used to provide full-time care to his wife Sophia, and also performed the entire daily
chores of the household, his current physical and mental state will not allow him to perform
his duties. This calls for the need of addressing Sophia’s health condition, as well while
promoting valuable discharge planning measures that would enhance their quality of life.