Unit V Case Study
Instructions
Review the following case study:Mr. Smith is 70 years old and is brought to the hospital by his family because he cannot move his left arm or leg. In addition, he is lethargic, confused, and cannot speak well. The family notes Mr. Smith had an episode 2 weeks ago where he could not get his words out right. They did not think much of it because the spell lasted only 15 minutes.Based on this case study, provide complete and detailed responses to each item listed below:
- Discuss what is happening to Mr. Smith.
- Explain what happened to him 2 weeks ago.
- Review the cerebral circulation, and tell which part you think is affected.
- How does protected health information impact the type of information that the doctor may provide to Mr. Smith’s family about his condition?
You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response.Your assignment must be two pages in length.Adhere to APA Style when creating citations and references for this assignment. APA Style document formatting, however, is not necessary.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this case study, Mr. Smith, a 70-year-old man, is experiencing symptoms such as the inability to move his left arm and leg, confusion, lethargy, and difficulty speaking. In this assignment, we will discuss the probable causes of Mr. Smith’s symptoms, analyze what happened to him two weeks ago, review the cerebral circulation, and explain how protected health information impacts the doctor’s disclosure of information related to Mr. Smith’s condition to his family.
1. Discuss what is happening to Mr. Smith.
Based on the symptoms mentioned in the case study, it can be assumed that Mr. Smith is experiencing a stroke. Stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when there is a disruption in blood flow to the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. This, in turn, can cause a range of symptoms, including the inability to move one or more limbs, confusion, lethargy, and difficulty speaking, as is evident from Mr. Smith’s condition.
2. Explain what happened to him two weeks ago.
Mr. Smith’s episode two weeks ago, where he had difficulty speaking, is suggestive of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), which is often referred to as a mini-stroke. A TIA occurs when there is a temporary disruption in the blood flow to the brain, resulting in symptoms similar to a stroke. These symptoms typically resolve within a few minutes to a few hours without any permanent damage to the brain. However, TIAs should still be considered as warning signs for future strokes as they increase the risk of a full-blown stroke within the next few days, weeks or months.
3. Review the cerebral circulation and tell which part you think is affected.
The brain receives its blood supply through the cerebral arteries. The carotid arteries present in the neck, supply blood to the anterior part of the brain whereas the vertebral arteries, present in the back of the neck, supply blood to the posterior part of the brain. As Mr. Smith is having symptoms like the inability to move his left arm and leg, confusion, and difficulty speaking, we can assume that the blockage is on the right side of the brain. This is because the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body.
4. How does protected health information impact the type of information that the doctor may provide to Mr. Smith’s family about his condition?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), a federal law, governs the collection, security, and use of personal health information. Protected Health Information (PHI) includes any information related to the patient’s health status, treatment, and payment-related information. Doctors cannot disclose any patient-related information unless they have obtained the patient’s consent in person or in writing. Mr. Smith’s family can only be informed of his condition with his consent or if he is unable to give consent, a patient representative or someone with a medical power of attorney would have to consult the physician to obtain any information about his condition. Doctors must always ensure the privacy and confidentiality of their patient’s personal health information.
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