Many genitourinary (GU) disorders such as kidney disease start developing during adolescence (Johns Hopkins Childrenâs Center, 2010). This early onset of disease makes it essential for you, as the advanced practice nurse caring for adolescent patients, to identify potential signs and symptoms. Although some adolescent GU disorders require long-term treatment and management, other disorders such as urinary tract infections are more common and frequently require only minor interventions. In your role with adolescent patients, you must evaluate symptoms and determine whether to treat patients or refer them for specialized care. For this Discussion, consider potential diagnoses, treatment, and/or referral options for the patients in the following case study.

Case Study 1

Alicia is an 18-year-old female who is brought into urgent care by her mother. She is complaining of dizziness. She recently started to lift weights for softball season. She has been healthy up to this point. Vitals are: temp 101.9°F, HR 120, RR 24, BP 90/54. She has lower extremity edema and decreased skin turgor. She states that her shoulders, thighs, and lower back hurt. She is having trouble moving her arms and legs. She also complains of vague abdominal pain, with nausea and vomiting. Labs came back with CK 10,000, uric acid 40 mg/dl, WBC 14.3, BUN:creatinine ratio 6:1, K 5.8. Urinalysis shows a presence of myoglobin of more than 25.

To prepare:

Analyze the patient information.

Consider a differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Think about the most likely diagnosis for the patient.
Think about a treatment and management plan for the patient. Be sure to consider appropriate dosages for any recommended pharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic treatments.

Consider strategies for educating patients and families on the treatment and management of the genitourinary disorder.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of the differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Explain which is the most likely diagnosis for the patient and why. Include an explanation of unique characteristics of the disorder you identified as the primary diagnosis. Then, explain a treatment and management plan for the patient, including appropriate dosages for any recommended treatments. Finally, explain strategies for educating patients and families on the treatment and management of the genitourinary disorder.