Case Study 3- Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Introduction

Susan Keller is a 60 year-old female. She recently retired in the beginning of 2016 from her nursing job in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. In April of 2016, she fractured her hip while gardening. Ms. Keller was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with osteoporosis. Although Susan was a nurse for many years, she never took into consideration her own health. After being extensively questioned by doctors in the ER, Susan learned that she had many risk factors for this disease. She has a long family history of osteoporosis including her mother, Jane, her aunt, Lucy, and many before them. She also has already reached menopause. Susan is considered overweight for her age, and tends to eat whatever she wants.

Susan grew up in a family of 4. Her mother was a single mom and her father was never present. She is unaware of the medical history of her father’s side, but her mom has a history of Osteoporosis. Jane, her mother, was diagnosed at the age of 30 after experiencing many fractures and breaks throughout her 20’s. Other family members, such as Susan’s aunt, have also been diagnosed with this disease.

As a single mother, Jane had a hard time providing for her 3 children. The only income she had was a teacher’s salary and used food stamps to buy the family’s weekly groceries. Because food stamps often apply to non-perishable foods, the children did not grow up eating a well balanced diet. Susan was breastfed as an infant to ensure proper growth. When she was able to chew food, she was feed cereal, crackers, and other sugary foods.

During school age, Susan often went to class without consuming any food for breakfast. Susan received one well-rounded meal for lunch at school, which included a protein, carb, and the appropriate serving of vegetables. For dinner, the family gathered around the table and enjoyed pizza or spaghetti.

Susan met her partner while in nursing school. Upon graduating, she became pregnant and...