Analysis of Jane’s Condition

Jane Vuong, a 24 year old Vietnamese undergraduate student was admitted into the hospital Emergency Department presenting with anxiety, difficulty speaking, breathing and dusky lips following severe chest tightness during an exercise session at the local martial arts school. On examination she had a wheezing sound when breathing. She has no history of asthma but says she has some allergies which she treats with herbs. Her colleague who brought her to the emergency room also claims that Jane has recently had difficulty breathing while taking the stairs up to the martial arts studio and she no longer rides her bicycle to the studio.

Jane is in her second year at the local University where she is studying cellular biology. Jane is a bright student who studies a lot and also works part time in the Universities’ research center which gives her extra cash. She admits that she has been having a dry cough for some months which she associated with allergies. She also relates her inability to ride her bike to her allergies. Jane smokes at least one packet of cigarettes on a daily basis, and during assessment appears to be in the pre-contemplation stage. Jane had six months earlier tested positive for hepatitis B. This surprised her a lot because she was asymptomatic. Though she denies drug use, she admits to having multiple sexual partners. She does not want to be in a long-term relationship because she claims it could complicate her life. She also admits to not using protection on a regular basis.

Erikson (Burke, 2010) described eight stages through which an individual passes through to adulthood. Every phase is established on successful completion of earlier phases of development. If the challenge is not completed it is expected to re appear in future as a new problem. The psychosocial crisis in later adolescence is individual identity