Concepts in nursing practice.
DIPLOMA IN NURSING 02/09 DN3 CONCEPTS IN NURSING PRACTICE STUDENT ID: 13121 WORD COUNT: 1,876 The aims and objectives of this assignment are to identify a nursing skill observed by myself whilst I was on my practice placement. The skill which I will be focussing on is the first phase of the nursing process in the form of the initial assessment interview. The client had been referred to the mental health services by his consultant and social worker, in order to continue his care in the community, after his discharge from a psychiatric ward. I was introduced to the client, and his permission was given for me to use my nursing skill of observation and also for me to use this assessment for the purpose of my study. The client in this assignment will be referred to as 'Davey'. This is a pseudonym, in order to protect his real identity and for the purpose of confidentiality, this is also a requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Practice (2002). A patient assessment according to Basford and Slevin (1995) is 'a carefully thought out methodical approach to gathering information and making an intellectual analysis of the data' in simple terms, it is building a picture of the patient. There are a great deal of factors to be given consideration when assessing a client, the most important being that the client is the most valuable source of
Health, Human Development and Ageing
[QUT] Health , Human Development and Ageing NSB225 Hon Fai Chow N07497016 21/05/10 Introduction Six-year-old Brianna has experienced asthma for the first time. She refused to take medications via a face mask. Her mother was also distressed after seeing her having trouble breathing. Discuss how the nurse can assist Brianna and her mother to understand what asthma is and to develop an Asthma management plan for to be used at home and at school by considering the stages that she is at according to Erikson's and Piaget's theory. The medical treatment in the hospital According to Piaget's theory, Brianna is at preoperational stage, Crisp (2009) "children are egocentric in this period in that they are unable to distinguish their perspective from that of another person". She simply thinks that everyone sees the world as she does. Therefore she believes that when she is having trouble in breathing, other people are also having the same trouble. That was why she refused the medication treatment via a face mask. She believed she no need to use the face mask just like other people. The parent might wear the face mask as well. Then Brianna might think that everyone needs to wear the face mask not just herself. She has no asthma treatment before, so it may cause misunderstandings and misinterpretations. It may cause much anxiety in Brianna. They may be encouraged to do
Ethical principles in Mental Health Nursing
This assignment will explain the principle of autonomy and its effect on the professional practise, of nursing. It will also show an example of how the principle has influenced the delivery of care, and will summarise with an understanding of the principle of autonomy. It will focus on the method of care given by both a doctor and a nurse in a clinical setting, and the contradicting styles of delivery. A brief explanation of deontological and utilitarianism values, will support the witnessed experience of the values placed on autonomy in a modern setting. The account will take an example witnessed from an adult vascular surgery setting, by the author, and include supporting references from extended reading around the subject of autonomy in the health care environment. In compliance with the, Nursing and Midwifery Council, code of conduct, (2002), Relating to client confidentiality, the names and locations of involved people have been changed, and for the purpose of this account the client will be called Clive. To appreciate the issues of ethics, and particularly autonomy, in the health care environment, it is important for the nurse to be aware of the fundamental interpretation of its true meaning. (Beauchamp and Childress 2002). The word autonomy comes from the Greek autos ("self ") and nomos ("rule," "governance", or "law"). Its literal interpretation means the right of
Reflective account on practice-communication
Reflective Account on Practice Word Count 2,188 Introduction Elliss, Gates and Kenworthy (2003), state that good communication is fundamental to effective nursing practice. Communication is defined by Weller (2002) as listening, reading, speaking and writing, and in the healthcare setting these are generally listening and giving information to our patients. Weller (2002) includes verbal and non-verbal communication in his definition, whilst Becker (1991 p.126) defines non-verbal communication as "those aspects of communication of information between individuals that do not explicitly employ language." These include gesture, proximity, facial expression, posture and touching. A more recent definition is provided by Timby (2009), who explains non-verbal communication is exchanging information without use of words. She describes how a person has less control over this type of interaction, and includes techniques such as kinesics, paralanguage, proxemics and touch. This all suggests that communication is a very important yet undervalued element of nursing care and is essential in our lives as nurses. As part of the healthcare team we need to identify and improve interpersonal skills to efficiently understand our patients' needs, and to make ourselves understood. On placement as a student nurse I observed examples of positive and negative communication skills. I have
Why are mental health nurses still continuing to make drug errors?
Why are mental health nurses still continuing to make drug errors? INTRODUCTION Administration of medicines is a key element of nursing care. Every day some 7000 doses of medication are administered in a typical NHS hospital (Audit commission 2002a). Drug administration forms a major part of the clinical nurse's role. Medicines are prescribed by the psychiatrists and dispensed by the pharmacist but responsibility for correct administration rests with the registered mental health nurse (O'Shea 1999). Each registered nurse is accountable for his/her practice. This practice 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 (O'Shea 1999). The patient is expected to receive the correct medication at each drug round but several studies have shown that this is not always the case (Ferner 1995). Medication errors do occur and are a persistent problem associated with nursing practice (O'Shea 1999). The aim of this paper is to answer the question: Why are mental health nurses still continuing to make drug errors? In order to answer this question this paper shall examine the guidelines that nurses must adhere to when administering drugs, shall provide a definition for 'drug errors', to evaluate why drug
Nursing. In order to demonstrate the principles of safe, effective, appropriate and cost-efficient prescribing, the author will analyse the critical incident described in Appendix 1, and using the prescribing pyramid (NPC, 1999) to assist decision-making,
Introduction The ethos of a report by Cumberledge, Neighbourhood Nursing - A Focus for Care (DOH, 1986), was to introduce nurse prescribing from a limited formulary to improve the care of patients in their own homes, and it identified that district nurse's wasted valuable time requesting prescriptions from general practitioners (GP's) when they had seen and assessed the patient themselves with no medical involvement (Baird, 2003). Nurses as prescribers need to be aware of the influences on prescribing and the need for bias to be controlled in the information sources that they use, as patients receiving prescriptions from nurse prescribers will assume the product prescribed is safe and appropriate for them (Parker, 2000). In order to demonstrate the principles of safe, effective, appropriate and cost-efficient prescribing, the author will analyse the critical incident described in Appendix 1, and using the prescribing pyramid (NPC, 1999) to assist decision-making, explore the most appropriate course of action in terms of treatment. Consider the Patient Before prescribing, a thorough assessment of the patient's medical and social history should be taken (NPC, 1999). A leg ulcer has been defined as the loss of skin below the knee, which takes more than six weeks to heal (Dale et al, 1983). Mr X had injured his leg six weeks prior to his referral to the DN's, therefore a leg
Hypothesis The majority of general nurses feel their roles should not be expanded.
Table of Contents Page Number Statement of Confidentiality 2 Rationale 3 Hypothesis 4 Introduction 5-7 Methodology 8-12 Results/Analysis 13-16 Evaluation 17 Conclusion 18 Table of Reference 19 Bibliography 20 Appendices 21 Statement of Confidentiality Please note that any information recorded during the compilation of this research will be kept strictly confidential, and at no time will any information be divulged to a third party. All information collected and participants involved will be treated with the utmost respect and all matters disclosed will be used only for the purposes intended. Under no circumstances will any information be falsified or altered in any way during the course of this research. Rationale The aim of this research is to develop an understanding of the topic related whilst providing an un-biased view and raising public awareness. As in any research the main aim is to promote information and establish what, if any improvements could be made. This particular research will look at nursing and it's ever changing role, which will in effect help the researcher to move forward in this particular field and also develop understanding and opinions of those directly and indirectly affected by any of the issues raised. This type of research could highlight areas where the service made to the public could be made more efficient, which in turn
Health issues regarding a patient with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis
Introduction This report will discuss the health issues regarding a patient with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis. It will contain a brief biographical detail of the patient, discuss in detail the cause and effect of the disease, outline the biopsychosocial impacts the disease has had on the patient and finally it will analyse therapies that there are available and will discuss the effectiveness of these therapies. Section 1 - Brief Biographical Detail Following the guidelines set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council's code of conduct (NMC 2002) "protect confidential information" the patient under observation will be named Carol. Carol is a 74 year old, widowed female who suffers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is a retired factory worker. Carol has been retired for approximately 27 years and lives alone in her bungalow. Her onset of Arthritis began shortly after her husband's death around 4 years ago. Before her acute onset of Arthritis, Carol, who is an ex-smoker, enjoyed her social life and gardening. Unfortunately Arthritis has affected her hands mainly and is no longer able to do the things she loves. She finds it increasingly difficult to tidy her garden and do simple tasks such as the weekly shopping and ironing. Whilst discussing Carol's condition she stated "I can't do anything strenuous, just a little bit of weeding and I can't carry heavy bags so my Daughter
Review of my performance in a nursing situation. Scenario 3 is about a 11 months old child who is looked after by 18 years old nanny while parents are at work. He was brought to the A&E department by the mother as the nanny had reported he fell down th
This commentary is related to simulated scenario 3 which took place during my studies at the university and it has helped me in meeting the module learning outcomes. It will include a self evaluation of my performance and the feedback from the lecturer. It will also give a summary of the learning outcome I achieved and implications for future development. Scenario 3 is about a 11 months old child who is looked after by 18 years old nanny while parents are at work. He was brought to the A&E department by the mother as the nanny had reported he fell down the steps. He had vomited several times and was very sleepy. His mum noticed a bruise on his head so she decided to bring him to the hospital. He has been unwell with a slight temperature and runny nose for several days prior to the incident. The following behaviours were carried out. Firstly, my uniform was assessed to confirm it was worn in a professional manner, the uniform was provided to me by the university. As a student, it is important I understand why I need to wear my uniform in a professional manner this include the use of name badge, fob watch, flat black shoes, removal of jewellery, tying back of hair securely off my face and also ensuring finger nails are of appropriate length, clean and without nail vanish. I learnt about these skills from www.infectioncontrol.nhs.uk which was part of
Nursing skills at a vascular surgery unit
This account aims to reflect on the skills of a nurse, observed at a vascular surgery unit. It will focus on the principles of the delivery of care and will give an understanding of the tools used to clearly establish the needs of a patient. Attention will be given to the style of introduction and the effective use of non- verbal communication skills. Observations will be discussed from the event and justification of its learning will be supported by extensive, and documented research. It will conclude with a reflective account and critical assessment of the shortcomings of the interview, and provide supporting recommendations in an attempt for excellence. In order to respect the patient's confidentiality and comply with the Nursing and Midwifery council, code of conduct, the precise location and name of the patient has been changed (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2002). Therefore the patient will be called, Mrs Singh. For reflection a model discussed by (Gibbs1988), cited in (Burns and Bulman 2000), will be followed, as it gives an opportunity to produce a structured account of the discussion, and clearly shows that true reflection in practise has occurred during its research. The needs of the patient are the primary objective, when considering a plan of care for the continuation of good health and well-being. Nurses must be made aware that inadequate formal