Acrobat Reader may be needed to view some links in this case study. The web links were checked and verified when this case study was published. Her presenting complaint is of progressive difficulty breathing for several years and a cough productive of moderate amounts of white sputum, particularly in the mornings. During her first visit to the free clinic, the triage nurse and Elizabeth, the nurse practitioner, observe that Helen is thin, pale, and somewhat short of breath. Upon examination, the nurse practitioner finds Helen to be pale and underweight with very diminished bilateral breath sounds.
Laboratory studies reveal very poor respiratory function.
The nurse practitioner, Elizabeth, respects Helen and is concerned about Helen's health status. She believes that she has a duty to provide care that is beneficent or good for Helen. She also knows that, in general, nurses have a duty to care for patients and be faithful to the implicit promise to do good and avoid harm . Elizabeth studies the physical and laboratory findings and carefully designs a plan of care for Helen. Elizabeth discusses the findings and her plan with Helen.