Date: 06/11/2024
Time: 09:30 -04:30
Title: The Renal/Urinary System and Basic Life Support
The renal/urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder and one urethra. It is responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, filters blood and regulate blood pressure. There are three processes by which urine is formed. Filtration is where blood is filtered to remove solutes and produce filtrate. Selective reabsorption is whereby useful substances from the filtrate are reabsorbed back into the blood. Secretion is whereby harmful substances are secreted from the capillaries into the renal tubule.
The renal system is important for assessing and monitoring patient’s blood pressure and fluid balance. It also maintains homeostasis by regulating the amount of hydrogen ions, making sure we excrete the right amount of sodium/chloride ions.
In future, I will need to recognise signs of distress such as reduced urine output and respond quickly to prevent serious conditions. I will also observe renal assessment practices in my clinical placements to gain experience.
Later in the afternoon, we all went into the clinical area to practice basic life support using the acronym DRSABC
D- Danger
R- Response
S- Shout
A-Airway
B- Breathing
C- Call for help/Compression
For adults, 30 compressions and 2 breaths while for children is 15 compressions and 2 breaths. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should only be stopped-
· When help arrives
· When the person wakes up
· When exhausted
· When do not resuscitate (DNR) form is in place
· When there is danger
Basic life support skills are important for responding to life threatening situations. As a student Nursing Associate, knowing how to perform basic life support enables me to act quickly and confidently when someone is unconscious and stops breathing.
I will practice my basic life support regularly through stimulations and refresh my skills frequently to ensure I am prepared for any emergency. Observing code blue situations, if possible, in my place of placement will allow me to observe experienced professionals manage emergency responses.
KSB addressed:
K14: understand the importance of health screening
k16: Understand body systems and homeostasis, human anatomy and physiology, biology, genomics, pharmacology, social and behavioural sciences as applied to delivery of care
k22: Know how to meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel movement
S4: Take responsibility for continuous self reflection, seeking and responding to support and feedback to develop professional knowledge and skills
S11: Report any situation, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care
S26: Meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel health
S30: Recognise when a person’s condition has improved or deteriorated by undertaking health monitoring, interpreting, promptly responding, sharing findings and escalating as needed