Case Study: Trauma Patient
Mary Nelson is a 30-year-old divorced female who lives in the suburbs with her 7-year-old son, Robert, and her 60-year-old widowed mother. She is employed full time as a legal secretary.
She was driving home from work one evening when a car crossed into her lane and hit her car head-on. Ms. Nelson was taken by helicopter to the nearest trauma center, where she was stabilized and treated for multiple injuries. Her mother, Mrs. Richards, was listed as her emergency contact and was contacted. Diagnostic tests confirmed fractures of her left ulna (arm) and left femur (leg). Her jaw was severely fractured, she lost most of her teeth, and her left hand was crushed. She also experienced a concussion.
Ms. Nelson was admitted to the hospital’s trauma unit. She underwent multiple surgical procedures to repair her many fractures. She has been in the trauma unit for several weeks. Her fractures are healing well, and her condition is stable. Her pain control is good on oral pain medication.
Ms. Nelson has lost weight since admission. Her jaw is wired shut to promote healing, and, although she is receiving high-calorie liquid supplements by mouth, she does not like their taste. Her mother often brings milkshakes, which she enjoys; however, she does not have much of an appetite.
Mary Nelson has limited mobility due to her fractured femur. She also has difficulty moving her left arm and hand, with limited fine motor coordination and movement. The extent and permanency of these limitations are not yet known.
Ms. Nelson has a verbal communication impairment related to her jaw being wired shut. She occasionally gets frustrated when people cannot understand her. She is left-handed and cannot write due to the injury to her left hand.
Ms. Nelson hopes that she will return to full functioning. She actively participates in decision making about her care. Her cognition is intact. She is experiencing some shortness of temper and occasional mood swings since her accident and states she has no patience anymore.
Ms. Nelson’s mother, Mrs. Richards, is caring for her son, Robert. Mrs. Richards and Robert visit frequently. Robert is worried about his mother, and his schoolwork is suffering.
Discussion Questions
- List the members of the interprofessional team, including family members, who could be engaged in Mary Nelson’s case to provide comprehensive care and meet her many needs.
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of each team member in providing Mary Nelson’s care.
- Identify overlapping skills and develop a strategy to clarify and assign responsibilities so that there is no duplication of services.
- Using the same strategy as in question 2, explain how the team works together to provide care.
- How does each professional’s expertise contribute to the team to optimize Mary Nelson’s care?
