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Category Archives: Reflections: Year 1
REFLECTION ON MENTAL HEALTH CONTIDION IN OUR SOCIETY
Reflection on medication administration as a student nurse
As a student nurse on placement I observed my Mentor administer medication to patients on several occasions during medication rounds. Drug administration forms a major part of the clinical nurses role. Medications are prescribed by the doctors and dispensed by the pharmacist and the registered nurses also has the responsibility of administering it correctly following medication policies and regulations. As a student nurse this has become my duty and something that i need to practice and become competent.
My mentor tested my knowledge on drugs calculations in the morning, asked me to state the medication rights my knowledge about drugs allergies, and the correct drug calculations. During my time in placement I observed the professional expertise and nurses administer medications daily during medication rounds. My mentor dispensed Mr. M’s medication, talked me through and observed my communication skills with Mr. M. First of all, I introduced myself to Mr. M as a student nurse, asked the patient about her wellbeing, and asked for his consent, and also if he is ready for his morning tablets. I asked the patient to repeat his name, date of birth, hospital number and if he has any allergies. I cross checked the information he gave me with her hand band to ensure it was correct, before the administration. However if at any point I do not feel skilled enough to handle certain situation I inform my mentor to carry out with that particular task whiles I observe. My mentor then handed over the medication to Mr. M, ensured he has swallowed it with water and that there was none in his mouth before leaving his room. My Mentor then signed and I also countersigned the Mar Chart after Mr. M has taken his tablets.
Each registered nurse is accountable for his/her practice which includes preparing, checking and administering medications, updating knowledge of medications, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment, reporting adverse drug reactions and teaching patients about the drugs that they receive.
During medication administration the health professionals and nurses of the ward ensures all protocols are followed appropriately. Infection control carefully managed, PPE warn and disposed off in the appropriate bins as well as sharps disposed off in the allocated sharp bins. The ward provides high quality care based on individual needs.
REFLECTION ON AUTISM AND SIMULATION PLACEMENT
Reflection on Admission and Discharge whiles on placement
REFLECTION ON SECOND PLACEMENT ON DAY CASE WARD
This placement has been very insightful and has increased my knowledge on admitting patients to ward, through to theatre and then to ward and discharge. I’ve had the opportunity to follow a patient’s journey from admission to theatre, to recovery, back to ward and discharge. Working on the day case ward has broadened my understanding of how person-centred nursing care is provided to patients before they are discharged ensuring patient safety.
It is very important to ask for the patient’s consent before starting the admission. I asked the patient to confirm the name and date of birth and any other important medical information that is required during the admission. I washed my hands between patients and clean the equipment used for each patient effectively. If there are any abnormalities in the observations of the patient I report it to the supervisor for immediate action. When the patient is ready to go for the operation we inform them to change into the surgical gown, I pull the curtains round to maintain the dignity and privacy of the patient. Furthermore, if a patient has dental surgery, I have learnt not to give them hot drinks post op to preserve their safety as it can cause bleeding after their surgery. I have observed different types of surgeries being carried out in theatre and understands how significant it is to maintain sterility in the theatre. In addition, the patient can go home when all the observations are in normal range and the discharge criteria are met.
I had the opportunity to admit patients when they come to the day case unit for surgery under the supervision of staff nurse. I now feel confident carrying out observations on patients which includes taking their blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, pulse rate, temperature etc., and I can now take prompt decisions about changing the cuff if it is not the appropriate size so that it does not distort the reading. I have understood the skills of using the NEWS chart and evaluating the NEWS score. Moreover, it is essential to make sure that the patients has any allergies which can be noted down on the red allergy band. I have been able to take handovers and repeat observations on patients after their surgery. I have also gained knowledge about what can be given to a patient to eat or drink when they return from the theatre. We offer patients drinks and food after their surgery because GA patients are normally nil by mouth before their procedure, to avoid dehydration and weakness before their discharge. I have observed how to discharge patient, advise patients on what to do, or who to call when advise needed, and also how they can administer their TTO’s.
SKILLS
I have developed better communication skills with patients and staff members. I understand the importance of taking consent before offering support to the patient. I now feel confident in observations and evaluating the NEWS score. I realize how nurses work professionally following the NMC code which I have also learnt a lot whilst observing their interaction with patients and the care they provide. I have always been punctual to placement which demonstrates professionalism and time management. I have built positive relationship with members of multidisciplinary team. I am keen to learn any news skills that will help and promote my learning career as a student nurse.
My confidence at this point is better than my first day at placement. Day case Unit staff and my practice assessor has really laid a good and strong foundation in my career which will lead me to my next placement.
Reflection on Placement Simulation at Roehampton Campus
Theatre Experience
In this few days I had the opportunity to observe the following theatre procedures carried out, and also learn about the responsibilities of a theatre nurse:
– Cardioversion
– Ophthalmology (eye surgery)
Cataract operations
Squint surgery
– Dental surgery
– Varicose vein surgery
– Epidural injections
– Prostate biopsy
– Pre-op assessment
– Admissions and discharge
Most of the procedure stated above are performed with anaesthesia. Anaesthesia stops you feeling pain and other sensations. It can be given in various ways and does not always make you unconscious.
Local anaesthesia involves injections that numb a small part of your body. You stay conscious but free from pain.
Regional anaesthesia involves injection that numb a small part of your body. You stay conscious but free from pain.
General anaesthesia gives a state of controlled unconscious and feel nothing.
Varicose vein operation
Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that usually occur on legs and feet. They may be blue or dark purple and are often lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. Other symptoms include:
– swollen feet and ankles
– burning or throbbing in your legs
– muscle cramp in your legs, particularly at night
– dry itchy and skin over the affected area
– it develops when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly.
dental surgery
Usually, a surgical extraction is a last resort. The GP need to carry out a surgical if a tooth has become impacted with another tooth under the gum level, making it hard to get out. Other reasons could be due to a tooth that has broken at gum level, or that the tooth is a strange shape, making it hard to extract normally. Or if a patient is having severe pain and aches which distract them from their normal daily living then it has to be taken out. The procedure fully removes the affected tooth, along with any remnants, which completely solves any issues relating to the tooth such as discomfort. It also protect the surrounding teeth from potential infection.
Cardioversion is a medical procedure that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. It’s a treatment for certain types of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) including atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardioversion is a procedure uses to put the heart back into a normal rhythm. This procedure is used when the heart is beating very fast or irregular. With electrical cardioversion, a high-energy shock is sent to the heart to reset a normal rhythm. Patient can also be treated with oral medication.
Epidural injections administration is a method of medication administration in which a medicine is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord. Epidural injection contains steroids medicine, usually together with a local anaesthetic. These injections are also called epidural steroids injections. The liquid is injected into a gap called the epidural space, which surrounds your spiral cord. The steroid reduces inflammation around your spiral cord, which the local anaesthetic provides faster pain relief.
Prostate biopsy involves using a thin needle to take small samples of tissue from the prostate. The tissue obtained is sent to laboratory for histology. A transperineally biopsy – a needle is inserted into the prostate through the skin behind the scrotum. It’s usually done under sedation.
Ophthalmology (eye surgery) Cataract operations – cataracts are when the lens of your eye, a small transparent disc, develops cloudy patches. When we get older they start to become frosted, like bathroom glass, and begin to limit our vision. Cataracts most commonly affect adults as a result of aging, it can also affect other regardless of their age. It is a success rate in improving your eyesight. It can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from cataract surgery.