Symptom Assessment and Management

This article discusses symptom assessment and management for patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Crohn's disease. It covers the impact of social situations on patients, literature review guiding choice of action, and assessment approaches. Effective pain management strategies are also discussed, including physical therapies, pain medications, and psychological therapies. The importance of effective team communication and collaboration is also highlighted.

Symptom Assessment and
Management

Table of Contents
Symptom Assessment and Management.........................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
PART A...........................................................................................................................................3
Introduction of the chosen patient and rationale for symptom choice.........................................3
Impact of social situation of patient on their experience of symptom.........................................3
Literature review guiding choice of action..................................................................................3
Assessment approach taken for the patient for chosen symptom with the help of literature
review...........................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................4
PART B ...........................................................................................................................................5
Context.........................................................................................................................................5
Rationale for action incorporating literature review....................................................................5
Reflection of one aspect of working as a team............................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

MAIN BODY
PART A
Introduction of the chosen patient and rationale for symptom choice
The patient which is being chosen is Caroline Askwith who is 64 years old and is suffering
from long term breathlessness. Caroline is being recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary
Fibrosis (IPF) which is a type of lung disease which is interstitial (Hutchinson, Barclay-Klingle
& Johnson, (2018). The quality of life of Caroline is affected. The breathlessness is being chosen
for analysing the problem which Caroline is facing which is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
It is chosen for evaluating the negative aspects which are affecting the life of Caroline. Due to
breathless the quality of life of Caroline is affected, and she is facing this health issues which is
infecting her lungs. Breathless is being chosen for Caroline as it helps in building the personal
knowledge of nursing which can be used for practices which will be done in future for assessing
the breathless to improve quality of life.
Impact of social situation of patient on their experience of symptom
There is negative impact of social situation of patient Caroline on the experience of
symptom pain which is being addressed. Dealing with uncertainty is the main aspect which is
impacting the social situation of the patient. When the patient suffers with any uncertainty, he
starts to panic and comes in stress due to which he undergoes in shortness of breath and is unable
to breathe (Marlow, Faull & Pattinson, 2019, p. 200). Caroline suffering from the breathlessness
also falls in the situation while dealing with the uncertainty and due to this, she might come into
stress which results to breathlessness and this impact the social situation of the person falling
more into the unhealthy manner of analysing the symptom of having the experience of facing the
problem of breathlessness. This is how there is negative impact in the social situation is analysed
when the person falls out of breath.
Caroline in stressful situation might be facing the negative impact of how she is unable to
deal with the problem of breathlessness and is helping herself to recover from the disease also
which is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). She might face the major problem of how
effectively and in appropriate manner this social situation of dealing with uncertainty can be
faced in appropriate manner (Das & Sil, 2020. pp. 236-241). Thus, it is very important that she

does not face any kind of problems while ensuring to take care of her in significant manner at
large scale and by recovering from her disease which is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
Literature review guiding choice of action
Literature Review –
According to Feliciano, Waldfogel & Dy, (2021), Breathlessness is the term which is
defined as an intense tightening in the chest and difficulty in breathing or feeling of suffocation.
Due to breathlessness, the patient is suffering from the disease Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
(IPF) which has been affecting the body and due to this there has been infection found in the
lungs. It is very important that proper strategies are framed for relieving from the issue which is
being faced by the patient of breathlessness. The major strategy for deep breathing is —
practising deep breathing exercise. This will ensure that the patient takes deep breaths to not
feel suffocated or out of breath.
As per Lewthwaite, Jensen & Ekström, (2021), another major strategy for breathlessness
is that to find a comfortable and supported position. This strategy will help in ensuring the
patient that they are sitting and actually practising the breathing process and are not suffering
from breathlessness. This strategy will help the patient to ensure that they are sitting comfortably
and are not panicking. With the help of this strategy, the patient is able to analyse and identify
the movements and improvement in her body related to breathlessness. The problems which the
patient is suffering from which is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) will also be improved in
appropriate manner.
Brighton, Miller & Maddocks, 2019. pp. 270-281). states that breathless can be treated by
following this strategy which is using a fan. Feeling the force of air while inhaling enables more
air enter into the body and this helps in providing the relief to the patient suffering from
breathlessness. The usage of fan helps in improving the symptoms of feeling short of breath. The
patient is instantly able to breathe when the fan is kept on for longer time in proper manner
where the patient is present.
Assessment approach taken for the patient for chosen symptom with the help of literature review
The best approach which should be taken for the patient Caroline Askwith is taking deep
breathing exercise several times in a day so that she does not face any kind of problems while

breathing. There are other kinds of deep breathing exercises which helps in understanding the
aspects of how the breathlessness can be cured and treated and how the patient is not suffering
from the breathing problem and is getting proper treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
(IPF) (Henson, Maddocks & Higginson, 2020, p. 905). Breathing in an out slowly will help
Caroline to analyse ho she is recovering from the breathlessness problem. The strategy which is
practising deep breathing exercise will also enable her to improve her life and will enable the
quality of living a health life. With the help of this strategy, Caroline will recover from it and
will create the aspect of how effectively she can lead her life and improve her health by not
longer suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). This strategy is beneficial for
Caroline which will help her in improving her problem of feeling out or short of breath in
significant manner possible effectively (Carette, Zysman & Chabot, 2019, p. 1-7).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the above report that the patient Caroline Askwith was
suffering from breathlessness and was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
Further, rationale for the chosen symptom was also identified and framed. The impact of social
situation of Caroline on the experience of this symptom was addressed. Literature review was
being provided with the choice of action and framing of strategies was undertaken at large scale.
Further, the assessment approach for patient was being analysed and provided in brief manner
within the report. This report provided effective strategies which helped in analysing the aspects
of creating value to living quality of life and leading a healthy life. The strategies such as
practising deep breathing exercise, finding a comfortable and supported position, by using a fan.
Among this, the best strategy which is being chosen is practising deep breathing exercise in
proper and effective manner at large.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brighton, L. J., Miller, S. & Maddocks, M. (2019). Holistic services for people with advanced
disease and chronic breathlessness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Thorax.
74(3). pp. 270-281.
Carette, H., Zysman, M. & Chabot, F. (2019). Prevalence and management of chronic
breathlessness in COPD in a tertiary care center. BMC pulmonary medicine. 19(1). p. 1-
7.
Das, S., & Sil, J. (2020, March). Knowledge uncertainty management in remote healthcare based
on mutual information. In 2020 6th International Conference on Advanced Computing
and Communication Systems (ICACCS)(pp. 236-241). IEEE.
Feliciano, J. L., Waldfogel, J. M. & Dy, S. M. (2021). Pharmacologic interventions for
breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-
analysis. JAMA network open. 4(2). e2037632-e2037632.
Henson, L. A., Maddocks, M. & Higginson, I. J. (2020). Palliative care and the management of
common distressing symptoms in advanced cancer: pain, breathlessness, nausea and
vomiting, and fatigue. Journal of clinical oncology. 38(9). p. 905.
Hutchinson, A., Barclay-Klingle, N. & Johnson, M. J. (2018). Living with breathlessness: a
systematic literature review and qualitative synthesis. European Respiratory Journal.
51(2).
Lewthwaite, H., Jensen, D. & Ekström, M. (2021). How to assess breathlessness in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease. 16. 1581.
Marlow, L. L., Faull, O. K. & Pattinson, K. T. (2019). Breathlessness and the brain: the role of
expectation. Current opinion in supportive and palliative care. 13(3). p. 200.

PART B
Context
Darrack is 26 year old who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease diagnosed 10 years ago
but now he is facing the problem of having the increase in his disease, and he is due to undergo
the elective colectomy with ileostomy. This helped in knowing that he will undergo major
elective surgery (Roda, Chien Ng & Danese, 2020, p.1-19). Due to this surgery, he will be
having a lot of pain which is normal to have. As this is a big surgery, Darrack will have to keep
patience as he will have to manage the pain in appropriate manner. The surgical process will
ensure the cure of the disease but will leave Darrack in pain (Yang, Panaccione & Battat, 2020,
p. 1031-1038). It is very important that the pain is to be managed so that there are no side effects,
and he is relieved from any kind of psychological trauma and any physical pain which he is
suffering from. The pain management is an important aspect which is to be analysed in the
context of Darrack will undergo the surgery. He will be also needing support from mental health
and medical terms for analysing how effectively the pain can be managed. (Adamina, Bonovas &
Zmora, 2020, pp.155-168). The worst conditions are to be prevented in the case of Darrack so
that he is able to live a healthy and normal life back again.
Rationale for action incorporating literature review
According to (Joshi & Kehlet, 2019, p. 259-267), Pain management is defined as the
medical approach that draws discipline for alternate healing for studying the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of pain. There are certain strategies which helps in reducing and
managing the pain in appropriate manner. When the patient is undergone the elective surgery for
Crohn’s disease, it is important that proper strategies are framed among which mentioning some
major for pain management. Practising the physical therapies will help in addressing and will
relieve the pain from the body when undergone the elective surgery. This will help in knowing
that therapies such as massaging, exercise and applying the cold packs all over the body will help
in reducing the pain of the patient. This strategy will help in calming down the patient and will
help in drawing effective measures when undergone the surgery in such difficult situations at
large scale.
As per (Morad & Farrokh, 2018, pp. 447-460). The next major therapy which can be
considered for the patient in relieving the pain which the patient will be suffering after the

elective surgery is in-taking pain medicines. The medicines will also help the patient to relieve
the patient which may be suffering from the electric surgery. This strategy will help the patient to
analyse and overview the aspect of how the pain management can be done after the surgery. With
the proper medications, there are some positive points which will help in reduction of the pain in
the patient and will ensure that the patient is leading healthy and happy life and is properly cured
of the disease. The medicines will help in reducing the levels of pain and will also ensure that
there are no side effects which the patient might be suffering from. This also enables that it is
important to manage pain effectively.
(Finnerup, 2019), states that, one of the different therapies which the patient can be
relieved from the pain is practising the psychological therapies. There are certain psychological
therapies such as relaxation techniques, meditation and undergoing cognitive behavioural
therapy which will help the patient in an appropriate mental health and will ensure that the
patient is not gone into some trauma due to the elective surgery which will be happening to the
patient to cure Crohn’s disease. This strategy can also be undertaken for analysing the aspects of
getting cured and relieved from the pain by managing it in effective and appropriate manner.
Therefore, this is how the pain management strategies are framed for analysing and addressing to
the pain which the patient will be having the elective surgery. Further, the practising of the
psychological therapies will also support the patient in solving the other issues which have been
created after the surgery has taken place.
Reflection of one aspect of working as a team
I will be working in the team to address the pain management of the patient suffering
from the Crohn’s disease due to which Darrack (the patient) will be undergoing the elective
surgery. This will help in knowing that how effectively and in appropriate manner I along with
my team members will be handling the patient in managing his pain and will ensure that the
surgery is undertaken with significant surgical process (Pourmand, Davis & Sikka, 2018, p. 1-6).
Me and my team will also be ensuring that Darrack is not falling into any panic and is in good
physical and psychological condition. This will help me while working as a team to know how
the care services are to be provided to the patient effectively and in appropriate manner. I will
also ensure that my team is working in collaborative manner and is considering the aspects of
relieving the patient from the pain so that I am able to provide certain measures and apply

effective strategies by following all rules and regulations in appropriate manner. By working in a
team I will be keeping the aspect of providing proper care services to the patient and will ensure
that the pain management after the surgery is managed and is undergone in effective manner. I
will also ensure that the team working for pain management is undertaken by following proper
steps so that the patient is not in panic condition and undergoes the elective surgery properly
with successful surgery significantly (Veauthier & Hornecker, 2018, p.661-669).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the above report that it was identified that Darrack was having
the Crohn’s disease after 10 years. The context of this was explained in the manner that he has
been undergone into an elective surgery due to which there are aspects of pain happening to him.
Further, rationale was provided along with the strategies which will help the patient in managing
his pain in effective and significant manner. Moreover, reflection was also provided for analysing
that how team working was being done in appropriate manner. The strategies within the literature
review helped in analysing how the pain after the surgery was managed so that there are no
negative aspects which the patient is undergoing and is keeping the aspect of leading the positive
and appropriate manner. This report helped in analysing how the pain management was being
done effectively for the patient Darrack effectively.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Adamina, M., Bonovas, S. & Zmora, O. (2020). ECCO guidelines on therapeutics in Crohn’s
disease: surgical treatment. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis. 14(2). pp.155-168.
Finnerup, N. B. (2019). Nonnarcotic methods of pain management. New England Journal of
Medicine. 380(25). 2440-2448.
Joshi, G. P., & Kehlet, H. (2019). Postoperative pain management in the era of ERAS: an
overview. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology. 33(3). p.259-267.
Morad, A., & Farrokh, S. (2018). Pain management. In Essentials of Anesthesia for
Neurotrauma (pp. 447-460). CRC Press.
Pourmand, A., Davis, S. & Sikka, N. (2018). Virtual reality as a clinical tool for pain
management. Current pain and headache reports. 22(8). p. 1-6.
Roda, G., Chien Ng, S. & Danese, S. (2020). Crohn’s disease. Nature Reviews Disease Primers.
6(1). p.1-19.
Veauthier, B., & Hornecker, J. R. (2018). Crohn's disease: diagnosis and management. American
family physician. 98(11). p.661-669.
Yang, E., Panaccione, N. & Battat, R. (2020). Efficacy and safety of simultaneous treatment with
two biologic medications in refractory Crohn’s disease. Alimentary pharmacology &
therapeutics. 51(11). p. 1031-1038.
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