Nursing elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients : 2 case studies

Abstract

     This study was comparative study of 2 cases aimed to study and compare nursing care for elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients from the beginning of admission to discharge planning and referral for continuous care and use as a guideline for nursing care for elderly tuberculosis patients, to develop the quality of nursing care to be more efficient. This case study was a comparison of 2 elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The first case study patient who came to receive services at Pho Chai Hospital on November 21, 2024, and the second case study patient on November 25, 2024. Data were collected using interviews, observations, and medical records. The assessment of patients' health status according to Gordon's 11 health models was used to determine nursing diagnoses and Orem's self-care theory in nursing.

     Main findings : The first case study patient was a 70-year-old Thai man who had been suffering from diabetes for 12 years and had a low-grade fever in the evening. Chronic cough with yellow sputum mixed with blood for about 2 months, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss of 5 kg, history of smoking and drinking for 30 years, AFB test result positive 2+, initially diagnosed with Pulmonary tuberculosis. Case study patient 2, a 78-year-old Thai woman, presented with chronic cough with white sputum for about 2 weeks, shortness of breath, fatigue, low-grade fever in the evening, loss of appetite, weight loss of 2 kg. AFB test result positive 1+, initially diagnosed with Pulmonary tuberculosis, given a new patient regimen with drug susceptible with the 2IRZE/4IR drug formula, screened household contacts, supervised drug intake (DOT), monitored for adverse drug reactions. Treatment results: Completed medication for 6 months, sputum AFB test 2 cartridges, negative test results, the doctor considered that the tuberculosis treatment was successful.