For my episode of care, I supported a patient with bed wash together with a nurse. I read the care plan and the physiotherapist notes of this patient. I got to know his mobility as bed bound and also assisted by two for personal care. I gained consent from him before offering the wash. I brought all the items needed for the wash that is blanket, bed linen, pillow cases, towels, pads, bowel of warm water etc. To maintain dignity and privacy the curtains were drawn. Throughout the wash we maintained his dignity by covering him after the wash of each part of the body. To maintain his independency he was given some wipes to wash where he is capable to wash. He willingly washed his face. My self and the nurse then supported him with the rest of his body having effective communication with him informing him of every step as we went along. The patient skin, sacrum and all pressure areas were assessed. The sacrum was very red but not broken it was grade 1 so I applied proshield skin care. His bed linen and pillow cases were changed. After the wash he was given a clean gown for comfortability. His hair was combed. I then brought him a sick bowel for him to brush his teeth. This was to maintain his oral hygiene. He also requested to be toileted during the wash. Henceforth after everything he was so refreshed and comfortable. I was filled with satisfaction the patient said thank you to us. In addition, I assisted the patient to order his lunch and supper, I read the menu to him and encouraged and guided him to make a healthy choice. After each meal I completed the food chart Furthermore, I performed and completed the nursing risks assessment sure as the Waterlow, falls and bedrail assessment. The patient was at high risk of developing pressure sore. I ensure that the patient has all the pressure ulcer prevention tools in place. I also maintained 2 hourly turns. . I then documented all the personal care I provided to the patient.
Category Archives: Reflections: Year 1
SIMULATION PLACEMENT WEEK 1
This reflection relates to the day one of week 1: Maternity Week. Today was a virtual placement for the assessment of the midwifery insight. We were taught what the week will entail. The topics to learn, timetable , group allocation and the group work. The videos to watch, things to study and the eLearning to do on our independent days. From today`s activity I learnt about the role of midwives and the importance of this midwifery insight. Midwife is the first profession a woman contact throughout her pregnancy till birth of the baby and continues with postnatal care. Midwives provide support and care for women to make informed choices of their care. This midwifery insight is also very important because as a student nurse I need to be aware of the role of the midwife since midwives collaborate with other multi-disciplinary team to provide quality of care to the women. We learnt about other activities and topics we will be achieving within the week such as infant feeding, sepsis focus, simulation through forum theatre etc. Today I had chance to acquired knowledge about midwifery and other topics, all that is expected of me by my lectures and the group presentation.
This relate to promoting professionalism and trust. I was in the virtual class on time and participated effectively. I am going to make sure I follow, learn, attend and participate in all the activities for the week as expected of me by my lectures
SIMULATION PLACEMENT
This reflection relates to the knowledge I gained in the third week of the simulation placement. In the morning we had simulation session. We had three different scenarios from which some of us participated. In the first scenario intramuscular injection was given to the autism patient. The second scenario was about checking the vital signs and wound assessment using Aseptic Non -Touch Technique (ANTT). The third scenario was about how to communicate with an autism teenage who had a fight at school. Afterwards we had debriefing about the scenarios with different feedbacks. We learnt a lot from the feedback. We also had opportunity to have a autism teenager and the mother.
In the afternoon we had the opportunity to practice the following skills intramuscular injection, wound dressing and assessment using ANTT. I was happy when I manage to open the head of the ampoule bottle easily using the blue dot. The most interesting part was when our lecture asked one of us to stand in front of the class and demonstrate to the whole class how blood pressure is checked manually. I volunteered to do it. One of the lectures became a patient and I demonstrated checking her blood pressure manually to the whole class. Questions and discussion took place while checking the blood pressure.
I learnt a lot from the feedback. It will enable me to do something different should I come across the same situation again. I also gave feedback to my mates on what they did. It was a nice opportunity to re- practice my skills such as intramuscular injection, wound dressing then the checking of blood pressure manually.
Additionally, due to this experience gained I will be more confident in caring for autism patient. After the practical skills I have also become more perfect in intramuscular injection and wound assessment and management using ANTT.
Subsequently, this relates to preserve safety. Therefore before any procedure takes place there need to be hand hygiene, introduce yourself, identify the patient, create rapport and seek consent. Due to preserve safety the six rights of medication need to take place, allergy verified together with expiring date, z – track before the intramuscular injection. It is also very important to assess and manage wound using ANTT method in other to prevent wound infection. I really benefited today.
REFLECTION ON CREATIVITY THERAPY SIMULATION PLACEMENT WEEK
This reflection relates to what I acquired during simulation placement second week which was creative activity. The first day was dance therapy. The lecturer started us up with some warm up exercises. We learnt how dance can be achieved through non-verbal communication such as hand, body and face gestures. I learnt the difference between ordinary dance and dance therapy. We were taught about the history of Dance movement psychotherapy (DMP). Marian Chace (1896-1970) who was a dancer, choreographer and performer was from Washington USA. She was the first to experiment DMP in a psychiatric hospital using mirroring , rhythm ,shared leadership, creativity and play. We were taught that mirroring (movement and shape) promote empathy, understanding and communication. Mirroring is when a group of people dance by coping or imitating ones movement. Secondly, rhythm is cohesiveness, creativity and connection. This dance therapy is done by a group doing the same movement. It brings people together. Thirdly, shared leadership is the acknowledgment of individuals creativity, being, seeing and acknowledge by others. We were divided into groups to create dance therapy using any of the 6Cs of care which is care, compassion, competence, commitment, courage and communication and any of the movement that is mirroring, rhythm and shared leadership. According to Marian Chace “Dance is communication and as such it fulfils a basic human need”. I really enjoyed the placement since I had the opportunity to learn something new.
This activity enable me to know the difference in ordinary dance and dance psychotherapy. I have also learnt to make sure to ask for the dance psychotherapist where ever I do my placement especially when I come in contact with the mental health, dementia, learning disability and people who have been traumatize etc. I also learnt that dance therapy enable the patient to be self esteem, socialise, relaxation, create symbols, calm in the mind and also form of exercise.
I will contact the dance therapist in the area I work to have section with the patient when I come across them such as those depressed, stressed, traumatized etc. Since I have also acquired the knowledge I will also be in the position to practise some moves with them to help in their healing process.
This relates to Prioritise people. It is always important to seek consent from patient before practising any activities with the patient. The patient comes first in everything and it is very important to apply hand hygiene, show respect, maintain their dignity and privacy. When all this is done quality of care will be achieved as required by the NMC code and the NICE guidelines.
REFLECTION ON SIMULATION PLACEMENT FOR FORUM THEATRE
REFLECTION ON MY MEDICINE MANAGEMENT
After my medicine management I am able to know the eight rights of administering medication. Checking whether the patient is having allergies or not is of great importance. Afterwards the expiring date of the medication need to be checked. I had the opportunity to administer some oral medications such as analgesic and also anticoagulant subcutaneous injection under the supervision of my practice assessor, Patient took their medication before I signed for it with my practice assess. When going to administer subcutaneous injection I make sure I go with my sharp bin, I once forgot and had to beg my practice assess to get it for me it was a learning situation for me not to let it happen again. I did drug calculations. Hoping to practice more of the drug administration and calculation under the supervision of nurses. Everything was done according to the Medicine Act 1968.