Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
UNFOLDING Reasoning
John Taylor, 68 years old
, • Physiological Adaptation ✓ Part I: Initial
Nursing Assessment
Present Problem:
John Taylor is a 68-year-old African-American male with a history of type II diabetes and hypertension. He came to the
emergency department (ED) triage window because he felt crummy, complaining of a headache, runny nose, feeling
weaker, “achy all over” and hot to the touch and sweaty the past two days. When he woke up this morning, he no longer
felt hot but began to develop a persistent “nagging cough” that continued to get worse throughout the day. John is visibly
anxious and asks, “Do I have that killer virus that I hear about on the news?”
Personal/Social History:
John lives in a large inner-city that has had over three thousand confirmed cases of COVID-19. He has been married to
Maxine, his wife of 45 years, and is a retired police officer and active in his local church.
1. What data from the histories are RELEVANT and must be NOTICED as clinically significant by the nurse?
(NCSBN: Step 1 Recognize cues/NCLEX: Reduction of Risk Potential)
RELEVANT Data from Present Problem: Clinical Significance:
Hx T2DM, HTN Comorbidities
Reports feeling weak, headache, hot, Symptoms of illness
diaphoretic, cough, anxious, African Psychological state
American Places him at higher risk
RELEVANT Data from Social History: Clinical Significance:
Heavily populated residence, 3000 High risk of transmission
confirmed cases, attends church, Attends public gatherings (church) increasing changes
married of transmission
Risk of spreading infection to his wife
2. What additional clarifying questions does the triage nurse need to ask John to determine if his cluster of physical
symptoms is consistent with COVID-19?
Have you traveled recently? (Within & out of state)
Have you had any contact with anyone who tested positive?
Are you and your wife attending church or other community gatherings currently? If so, have you been practicing social
distancing?
Wife have any symptoms?
Smoke or asthma hx?
Occupation?
Have you treated your fever?
Flu shot?
Pneumonia vaccine?
Do you have additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell?
UNFOLDING Reasoning
John Taylor, 68 years old
, • Physiological Adaptation ✓ Part I: Initial
Nursing Assessment
Present Problem:
John Taylor is a 68-year-old African-American male with a history of type II diabetes and hypertension. He came to the
emergency department (ED) triage window because he felt crummy, complaining of a headache, runny nose, feeling
weaker, “achy all over” and hot to the touch and sweaty the past two days. When he woke up this morning, he no longer
felt hot but began to develop a persistent “nagging cough” that continued to get worse throughout the day. John is visibly
anxious and asks, “Do I have that killer virus that I hear about on the news?”
Personal/Social History:
John lives in a large inner-city that has had over three thousand confirmed cases of COVID-19. He has been married to
Maxine, his wife of 45 years, and is a retired police officer and active in his local church.
1. What data from the histories are RELEVANT and must be NOTICED as clinically significant by the nurse?
(NCSBN: Step 1 Recognize cues/NCLEX: Reduction of Risk Potential)
RELEVANT Data from Present Problem: Clinical Significance:
Hx T2DM, HTN Comorbidities
Reports feeling weak, headache, hot, Symptoms of illness
diaphoretic, cough, anxious, African Psychological state
American Places him at higher risk
RELEVANT Data from Social History: Clinical Significance:
Heavily populated residence, 3000 High risk of transmission
confirmed cases, attends church, Attends public gatherings (church) increasing changes
married of transmission
Risk of spreading infection to his wife
2. What additional clarifying questions does the triage nurse need to ask John to determine if his cluster of physical
symptoms is consistent with COVID-19?
Have you traveled recently? (Within & out of state)
Have you had any contact with anyone who tested positive?
Are you and your wife attending church or other community gatherings currently? If so, have you been practicing social
distancing?
Wife have any symptoms?
Smoke or asthma hx?
Occupation?
Have you treated your fever?
Flu shot?
Pneumonia vaccine?
Do you have additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell?
