Karen is an 16 year old with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). She was…
Karen is an 16 year old with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). She was diagnosed at age 4 after a long series of respiratory infections and failure to thrive. She is currently in the hospital for a “tune-up” after presenting to the outpatient clinic w/ a significant reduction in her baseline PFTs. She’s also experienced a 3 lb. weight loss in the last month. She was discharged from her last hospitalization 12 weeks ago. She was hospitalized for 4 weeks at that time. She is quiet, moody, and refusing to eat and go to physical therapy. Please answer the following questions: 1. What is the primary purpose of admitting Karen (or any CF patient) for a “tune-up”? 2. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority of the admitting nurse for this patient? 3.. Karen takes pancreatic enzymes with each snack and meal. What is the pathophysiology that necessitates the use of these enzymes in patients with CF?