Nicole Mills Nursing Case Study

The patient, Nicole Mills, began with having acute nausea which rapidly escalated to dizziness and vomiting. Mrs. Mills explained that, as time progressed, her stomach felt as though it was “going to burst.” After taking some time off work, the patient accounts that the symptoms appeared to had gone away. This feeling was short-lived as small pains began to appear in Mrs. Mills’ abdomen. Furthermore, her nausea returned along with the added symptom of hematuria. It was at that point that Mrs. Mills sought the assistance of a medical professional. Upon reviewing the patient’s medical history, it can be concluded that Mrs. Mills lives a relatively healthy lifestyle, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs with the exception of the occasional over-the-counter …show more content…
Mill’s case, an ectopic pregnancy.2 This protein, which is absent in men and non pregnant woman, is responsible for the formation of the intrauterine gestational sac.4 Progesterone, which is formed at an elevated level throughout pregnancy by the placenta, suppresses ovulation during pregnancy as well as stimulates the growth of milk-forming glands in the breast.5 In Mrs. Mills’ case, her levels of progesterone exceeded those of a non-pregnant woman. Therefore, the elevated levels of progesterone suggested that the patient was in fact pregnant. Estradiol, another common female reproductive hormone, is thought to play a key role in the maintenance of pregnancy.6 In both normal and ectopic pregnancies, most estradiol doesn’t come from the mother. Rather, estradiol, like progesterone, is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Elevated levels of estradiol suggest that the patient is pregnant, however doesn’t specify the type of pregnancy (e.g. ectopic or normal). The levels of estradiol in Mrs. Mills’ blood were, as previously mentioned, higher than the normal range for non-pregnant woman and therefore suggested the possibility of …show more content…
Mills’ potentially life-threatening condition, she does have the option to terminate the pregnancy through the non-surgical method of methotrexate.9 This antimetabolite interrupts the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by inhibiting the activity of the protein dihydrofolate reductase, which normally converts dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid.9 The safety of methotrexate in women has been proven as it pertains to future pregnancies.9 Neither the rate of subsequent spontaneous abortions nor that of congenital anomalies increased in any of the patients who have taken methotrexate.9 This drug can be administered in several ways; intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), or by oral