1. Acute Pain related to headache, fever, neck pain secondary to infection.
2. Activity Intolerance related to fatigue and malaise secondary to infection.
3. Acute Pain related to nuchal rigidity, muscle aches, immobility and increased sensitivity to external stimuli secondary to infectious process.
4. Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility, dehydration, and diaphoresis.
5. Interrupted Family Process related to critical nature of situation and uncertain prognosis.
Out of these 5, I feel effective pain control is paramount. With untreated pain, many of the other physiologic systems will fall down the cascade of impairment. Untreated pain will increase the efforts of the respiratory system, circulatory system, endocrine system, integumentary system (as mobility is decreased with pain), and obviously the nervous system.
Lets focus on the first diagnosis, Acute Pain related to headache, fever, neck pain secondary to infection.
Actual: ACUTE PAIN
Related to: Headache, fever, neck pain
Plan: Reduction of pain by multiple strategies.
Outcome: Pain reduced on numeric scale, patient states improved comfort.
Intervention: Administration of antipyretic and analgesic (ordered per provider). Proper positioning for comfort. Cold or heat packs for muscle analgesia. Proper resting and sleep cycles with activity as tolerated.
With proper nursing interventions based on solid and fact based nursing diagnoses, we can reduce patient suffering and improve well-being. These can be difficult at first, but with practice and viewing the patient as a complex interweaving of systems, proper nursing diagnoses can be achieved.
References:
The Mayo Clinic. (2012). Disease and conditions: West Nile virus.
Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/west-nile-virus/basics/symptoms/con-20023076