Reference no: EM133476168

Assignment:

Case 1: Mrs. Winnie Smith is a 74-year-old who participates in a local adult day care program. Mrs. Smith has been participating for the last 2 years at the facility with little decline noted. She is a retired teacher and enjoys talking with other residents that attend activities at the facility. Her intake record lists her medical history as having mild hypertension and osteoporosis. Recently, one of the staff at the facility notices that Mrs. Smith has been having difficulty swallowing during meals and snacks. She mentions it to her manager, who places a call to Mrs. Smith's son, Phillip, her primary caretaker. Phillip asks, "Is this something I should take her to the doctor for, or is it normal?"

1. What is Mrs. Smith's condition called?

2. What could be causing this problem?

3. Would you recommend that Phillip take his mother to the doctor? Why or why not?

Case 2: Mrs. Chewning is a 78-year-old recently admitted to the hospital for respiratory distress. She has a history of asthma, hypertension, and diabetes. Mrs. Chewning lives with her husband in a two story home with little support from other family members. She retired after working 30 years at a paper mill, and smoked a half pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years. She finally quit when her husband was diagnosed with COPD. After numerous tests at the hospital, she was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis.

1. In addition to her emphysema and chronic bronchitis, what age-related changes are likely affecting Mrs. Chewning's ability to breathe?

2. What is causing Mrs. Chewning's difficulty with clearing her lungs?

3. Is Mrs. Chewning facing an increased risk of developing pneumonia? Why or why not?