Millie Larsen
Overview
Millie Larsen is an 84-year-old female who lives alone in a small home. Her husband, Harold, passed away a year ago and she has a cat, Snuggles, who is very important to her. Millie has one daughter, Dina Olsen, who is 50, that lives nearby, and is Millie's major support system. Her current medical problems include: hypertension, glaucoma, osteoarthritis of the knee, stress incontinence, osteoporosis, and hypercholesterolemia.
Monologue
Millie is at the clinic for routine examination and medication follow up. She is taking several anti-hypertensive medications, diuretics, and analgesics. During the monologue, Millie provides important details of how she views her current life situation.
Simulation Scenario 1 is set at the 3:00 PM shift change. Millie has been in her room on the medical-surgical unit for about six hours. She was in the Emergency Department overnight because there were no available beds on the medical units. Due to her confusion, Millie did not take her medications properly in the days prior to admission and as a result, her blood pressure is very elevated. Millie's daughter, Dina is at the bedside and is quite concerned about the confusion and elevated blood pressure. The learner receives hand-off report from the previous nurse and is expected to perform a general assessment as well as use the SPICES and Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tools. Objectives for this scenario include the identification and use of appropriate assessment tools for older adults, recognition of an elevated blood pressure and notification of Millie's primary care provider using SBAR format.
Finish the Story Assignment
Learners have now seen Millie at four snapshots in time. What do they think her life will be like three months from now?
Author Information
Cynthia Reese, PhD, RN, CNE
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL