It is necessary for an RN-BSN-prepared nurse to demonstrate an enhanced understanding of the pathophysiological processes of disease, the clinical manifestations and treatment protocols, and how they affect clients across the life span. Evaluate the Health History and Medical Information for Mr. M., presented below. Based on this information, formulate a conclusion based on your evaluation, and complete the Critical Thinking Essay assignment, as instructed below. Mr. M., a 70-year-old male, has been living at the assisted living facility where you work. He has no know allergies. He is a nonsmoker and does not use alcohol. Limited physical activity related to difficulty ambulating and unsteady gait. Medical history includes hypertension controlled with ACE inhibitors, hypercholesterolemia, status post appendectomy, and tibial fracture status postsurgical repair with no obvious signs of complications. Current medications include Lisinopril 20mg daily, Lipitor 40mg daily, Ambien 10mg PRN, Xanax 0.5 mg PRN, and ibuprofen 400mg PRN. Over the past 2 months, Mr. M. seems to be deteriorating quickly. He is having trouble recalling the names of his family members, remembering his room number, and even repeating what he has just read. He is becoming agitated and aggressive quickly. He appears to be afraid and fearful when he gets aggressive. He has been found wandering at night and will frequently become lost, needing help to get back to his room. Mr. M has become dependent with many ADLs, whereas a few months ago he was fully able to dress, bathe, and feed himself. The assisted living facility is concerned with his rapid decline and has decided to order testing. In 750-1,000 words, critically evaluate Mr. M.’s situation. Include the following: You are required to cite to a minimum of two sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Introduction

As an RN-BSN-prepared nurse, it is crucial to possess an enhanced understanding of pathophysiological processes, clinical manifestations, and treatment protocols of diseases across the lifespan. This critical thinking essay evaluates the health history and medical information of Mr. M., a 70-year-old male residing in an assisted living facility. Based on this evaluation, a conclusion will be formulated regarding his current situation.

Evaluation of Mr. M.’s Health History and Medical Information

Mr. M. presents with no known allergies and is a nonsmoker who does not consume alcohol. He has limited physical activity due to difficulty ambulating and an unsteady gait. His medical history includes controlled hypertension with ACE inhibitors, hypercholesterolemia, a history of appendectomy, and a surgically repaired tibial fracture with no apparent complications. The medications he is currently taking consist of Lisinopril 20mg daily, Lipitor 40mg daily, Ambien 10mg as needed, Xanax 0.5mg as needed, and ibuprofen 400mg as needed.

In the past two months, Mr. M.’s condition has been deteriorating rapidly. He experiences difficulty in recalling the names of his family members, remembering his room number, and even repeating recently read information. Additionally, he becomes agitated and aggressive quickly, displaying signs of fear and apprehension during these episodes. His wandering behavior at night has become a frequent occurrence, often requiring assistance to find his way back to his room. Furthermore, he has become increasingly dependent on assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs) that he previously performed independently.

Critical Evaluation of Mr. M.’s Situation

Mr. M.’s declining cognitive and functional abilities, along with his behavioral changes, raise concerns about a possible underlying condition. The rapid onset and progression of these symptoms suggest a neurodegenerative disorder rather than a primary psychiatric illness. Given the information provided, it is plausible to consider Alzheimer’s disease as a potential diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, and behavioral changes. Memory loss and difficulties in acquiring new information are typical early signs of the disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020). Mr. M.’s inability to recall names and recent information aligns with this characteristic. Moreover, his fear and agitation during episodes of aggression may be indicative of confusion and disorientation, common features of Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020).

The nocturnal wandering behavior observed in Mr. M. is also consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. This phenomenon, known as sundowning, often occurs in individuals with the disease and can pose risks to their safety (Lampert et al., 2018). Mr. M.’s difficulty in finding his way back to his room further supports this hypothesis. Additionally, the increased dependency on assistance with ADLs suggests decline in his ability to perform routine tasks independently, which is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease at later stages (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020).

Furthermore, Mr. M.’s medical history of controlled hypertension and hypercholesterolemia may be significant in the context of his cognitive decline. Research has established a link between vascular risk factors and increased susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease (Weuve et al., 2014). The presence of these risk factors could exacerbate the neurodegenerative process, contributing to the rapid deterioration observed in Mr. M.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mr. M.’s health history and medical information, along with his current symptoms, suggest a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. His rapid decline, memory impairment, behavioral changes, nocturnal wandering, increased dependency on assistance, and the presence of vascular risk factors support this hypothesis. Further diagnostic testing and evaluation, such as neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessments, would be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and develop an appropriate care plan for Mr. M. Nursing interventions focusing on managing his cognitive and behavioral symptoms, ensuring his safety, and providing support for ADLs would be vital in his care management.