Jack Williams Case: Neurological and Cognitive Differential Diagnosis

Purpose This assignment is intended to help you learn to analyze and explain the impact of changes in the nervous system and cognition, and the associated pathological phenomena and details compared to normal physiology. Overview This module, we are going to explore the nervous system and cognition. We'll also look the neurobiology of some mental illnesses and the role of the masters prepared nurse in these situations. Your Patient, Jack Williams Jack Williams is a septuagenarian male with a history of coronary artery disease and hypertension. He comes into your setting with a several-day history of fever, headache, and weakness. His wife states that he seemed confused, and she was having difficulty understanding what he was saying to her this morning. His vitals were 103° F temperature, BP 96/52, HR 101 bpm, and RR 20/minute. On exam, his mental status was drowsy, and he was oriented only to person. His neurological exam was non-focal. There are several different types of scenarios an individual with this condition(s) could present with. You can discuss with your colleagues in the discussion thread if you would like. Action Items 1. Read the scenario above. 2. Reflect and Respond: Part I • What condition(s) are likely based on Mr. William's symptoms? Provide at least three possible conditions and discuss the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations each. Give your rationale and substantiate it with references, including your textbook and a minimum of 3 other credible, scholarly sources. • Which 3 tests would be most definitive to determine what is going on with Mr. Williams? • What other signs/symptoms might an individual exhibit? Part II • Review the following: • Given the fever, the diagnosis is likely meningitis. However, stroke, TIA, and other conditions could present in the same way. • Respond: • Does Mr. Williams' history of coronary artery disease and hypertension put him at higher risk for the condition? Why or why not? To support your decision(s), give your rationale and substantiate it with references, including your textbook and a minimum of 3 other credible, scholarly sources. Part III • Finally, read your peers' work. You do not have to comment on their posts. Return to your own post and as a response to yourself, rewrite your post incorporating any improvements you wish to make, based on what you have seen from your peers and justify your changes. If you don't have changes, state that you are keeping your work the same and explain why.