RT Book, Section
A1 Hull, Melodie
SR Print(0)
ID 1154815360
T1 Orthopedics and Brain Injuries
T2 Medical Language: Terminology in Context
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780803626836
LK fadavispt.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1154815360
RD 2024/04/19
AB Patient  UpdateMr.  Gilbert  Loeppky  (or  "Gil,"  as  he  prefers  to  be  called)  was  admitted  during  the  early  evening  to  the  Surgical  Unit  of  Okla  Trauma  Center  from  the  ER.  As  a  victim  in  a  motor  vehicle  accident  that  same  day,  Gil  incurred  a  blunt  force  head  injury  and  was  unconscious  at  time  of  arrival  at  Okla  Trauma;  he  gained  consciousness  approximately  2  hours  after  admission  (see  Chapter  4).  Diagnostics  determined  that  there  was  no  internal  hemorrhaging  within  the  cranial  cavity.  However,  Gil  remains  on  close  monitoring  and  is  receiving  neurovital  sign  checks  every  30  minutes,  a  precautionary  measure  for  all  patients  with  head  injuries.  In  addition,  Gil  suffered  fractures  and  injuries  to  his  right  leg.  Although  he  has  yet  to  speak  with  a  physician  in  any  detail  about  these  injuries,  he  knows  that  he  is  scheduled  for  surgery  to  repair  them.  Gil's  parents,  Pat  and  Pearl  Loeppky  are  with  him  now,  awaiting  a  visit  from  the  surgeon.In  the  midst  of  all  of  this  trauma,  Gil  has  become  a  new  father.  His  wife,  Glory  gave  birth  to  a  little  girl  prematurely  over  at  Fayette  General  Hospital,  where  she  was  admitted  after  the  motor  vehicle  accident  (see  Chapter  8).  Gil  and  Glory  have  spoken  by  telephone.  "Good  evening,  I'm  Dr.  Elaine  Karras,  orthopedic  surgeon,"  announced  a  tall  woman  in  light-blue  scrubs  as  she  strode  confidently  into  Gil's  room.  She  stretched  out  her  hand  to  the  patient  and  said,  "  Gilbert  Lop…  Lop-key,  I  presume?"  She  smiled.Gil  shook  her  hand  and  politely  corrected  her.  "Lep-key.  Gil  Loeppky.  Call  me  Gil.  How  do  you  do?"  Gil  replied  in  a  raspy  voice.  "These  are  my  parents,"  Gil  added,  nodding  stiffly  in  their  direction."Hello,  I'm  Pat  Loeppky,  and  this  is  my  wife,  Pearl,"  Gil's  father  said  as  an  introduction.  The  doctor  shook  hands  with  Pat  and  Pearl  as  well,  and  then  she  returned  her  attention  to  the  patient."Well,  Gil,  as  you  know,  you've  broken  a  number  of  bones  in  your  right  leg.  I'll  be  performing  the  surgery  to  repair  them  tomorrow  afternoon  around  5  pm.  I  wanted  to  pop  in  this  evening  before  I  go  off  duty  to  talk  with  you  a  bit  and  to  answer  any  questions  that  you  might  have."  Dr.  Karras  paused  to  wait  for  Gil  to  consider  what  she  was  saying.Gil's  mother  interjected:  "Tomorrow  afternoon!  Why  so  long?  That  sounds  awful  to  make  him  wait  in  pain  for  so  long!"The  surgeon  explained  that,  because  Gil  had  sustained  a  concussion,  it  was  not  wise  to  administer  anesthetic  medications  to  him  until  he  had  been  monitored  for  neurological,  cognitive,  and  vital  signs  over  a  period  of  at  least  12  full  hours.  She  said  to  Gil,  "Although  anesthesia  is  generally  safe  for  someone  who,  like  you,  has  had  a  moderate  concussion,  there  are  some  risks  involved  as  you  emerge  from  it  postoperatively.  When  you  wake  up,  you  might  exhibit  behaviors  similar  to  delirium  or  changes  in  brain  functioning.  As  a  result,  we  want  to  be  sure  that  your  neurological  status  is  stable  before  we  put  you  in  ...