ETOH Withdrawal/Pneumonia UNFOLDING Reasoning Case Study_Elena Acosta

ETOH Withdrawal/Pneumonia UNFOLDING Reasoning Case Study_Elena Acosta Elena Acosta is a 54-yr. old Hispanic woman with hypertension managed with hydrochlorothiazide. She is 63” (160.2 cm) and weighs 175 pounds (79.3 kg-BMI 31.0). She felt “crummy” and weaker the last 24 hours and called 911 when she began to have mid-sternal chest pain that increased with coughing and developed a harsh productive cough with green phlegm with difficulty breathing. Initial lab results: WBC 14.5, neutrophils 92%, Hgb 12.9, potassium 3.5, creatinine 1.1, total bili 0.9, ALT 42, chest x-ray revealed RLL infiltrate consistent with pneumonia, blood and sputum cultures collected and pending. Smell of ETOH present on her breath. Blood alcohol level 0.04, urine drug screen negative. She is admitted to the medical unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. You are the nurse responsible for her care.