Age is 80 yrs,Female,Having chest infection. Antibiotics Started.Patients is drowsie.Days required to recover.

Question

Presently Patient is in semi concus condition and in ITU. When the crisis may over.

Answer 1

It is unfortunate that as we get older it takes longer for our bodies to respond to medications and other interventions that are performed to help us get better. Antibiotics, as well as the antibiotics can cause the drowsiness. This is the bodies way of making sure that you rest to that it can heal. Even after the infection is gone it may be as long as 2 months before a patient as old as 80 years will begin to feel 'normal'. Things that you can do to help are keep in contact with the care givers and ask lots of questions and make sure that not only do you get an answer but that the answer that you are given is fully understood. Don't let the doctor/nurse walk away until they have explained things to your satisfaction. Make sure that the patients wishes are being followed. Are the staff being courteous and answering the call light in a timely manner. Keep a log book at the bedside of who you talk to, when you talk to them and a synopsis of what is said. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 2

Yes, it is most unfortunate that as we age, it takes a lot of energy to heal an infection. A lot of times things that 20 year olds would take an aspirin for will put an elderly person in the hospital. Be patient and make sure that she knows that she is loved and being cared for. As she gets better, she will get back to her normal every day self.

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

Most antibiotics may start to show improvements in 48-72hrs. She needs to be on oxygen and doing deep breathing/coughing every hour while awake to help get rid of secretions. The semiconsciousness is probably caused by a drop in blood oxygen

Answer 4

ask the ITU doctors.