Critical Health Thinking Mr. Mendel is an 83-year-old married man. He has a history of severe osteoarthritis leading to bilateral hip replacements and one knee re- placement. He has mild hypertension...

Critical Health Thinking

Mr. Mendel is an 83-year-old married man. He has a history of severe osteoarthritis leading to bilateral hip replacements and one knee re- placement. He has mild hypertension controlled by oral medication. His last orthopedic surgery was done to replace a hip component that failed due to repeated dislocations. At that time, he developed a severe urinary tract infection resulting in weight loss, fatigue, and weakness. After stabilizing, he was sent to the skilled nursing unit of the hospital for 2 weeks until ready to go back home. Occupational therapists consulted with him and his wife during his hospitalization. He lives in a three-story house with the bedrooms on the top floor, kitchen and living room on the middle/main floor, and family room on the bottom floor. He has not driven since the last operation, but would like to. He has smoked cigars for years and sits on the front porch to smoke. Physical therapists have come to the house three times a week for several months. A home health nurse has also been consulted periodically to assist with nutrition and elimination difficulties.

1. In what ways has Mr. Mendel used (a) health promotion and illness prevention (primary prevention), (b) diagnosis and treat- ment (secondary prevention), and (c) rehabilitation and health restoration (tertiary prevention) health care services?

2. Name three types of health care agencies he has used. What are the strengths of each of these?

3. Mr. Mendel’s insurance company has assigned him a case manager. What would this person’s responsibilities be in his particular case?

4. What other members of the health care profession would most likely be on the case manager’s team and why?