M.F. is a patient on the medical-surgical unit who was admitted during the previous
evening for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He is an 83-
year-old male, widower with two children who both live an hour away. He lives alone in
a small house and is normally independent in his care. He has a housekeeper who
comes in once a week to clean and fix some meals for him. He was brought to the
hospital by his son who was visiting. His children visit him at least once a month. M.F.
has COPD and type 2 diabetes. You are the nursing student assigned to care for M.F.
during your clinical rotation today.
