Week 1: MS1 COURSE TASK CU1

Mr. Nathaniel is a 46 year-old man who has developed symptoms of acute

pericarditis secondary to viral infection. Diagnosis was based on characteristic
sign of a friction rub and pain over the pericardium. (20 points)

1. The patient is experiencing pericardial pain. To alleviate this discomfort,

what position could the nurse assist the patient with maintaining?
- Pericardial discomfort translates simply to a feeling of pain in the rubbing or
strain layers of the pericardium. Let the patient sit down and lean forward in
this situation. The strain on the parietal pericardium is also decreased and
discomfort reduced

2. When planning Mr. Nathaniel’s care, what should the nurse understand are
the objectives of pericarditis management?
- To administer medication as per order because cholchicine, aspirin and
NSAID are considered to be the most baseline treatment on this condition
- Monitoring the patient for any infection and following strict infection control
practice
- To prevent reoccurance
- Pain management

3. The nurse is auscultating Mr. Nathaniel’s chest for a pericardial friction rub.
Where will the nurse auscultate in order to locate the rub?
- Left sternal edge in the fourth intercostal space where the pericardium comes
into contact with the left chest wall, scratchy or leathery sound, louder
at the end of expiration