This assignment is based upon an experience encountered where a patient admitted to the Accident and Emergency department died suddenly and was later transferred to the mortuary.

Introduction This reflective assignment is based upon a recent experience on a clinical practice placement within a busy Accident and Emergency department in the local general hospital. Whilst at the department many diverse situations were experienced which may be reflected upon. For the purpose of this assignment an incident which occurred causing me to question the moral and ethical underpinning of practice within the department will be discussed. The incident in question happens within the department on a regular basis. The issues that this reflection have raised include, sudden death within the Accident and Emergency department, the dignity of a patient in death and western societies views of death. To assist in this reflective account Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1998) will be followed which allows for personal beliefs to be explored and addressed. The reflection also allows for the acknowledgement that some practice, which my personal belief feels is wrong cannot be changed. Main Body 1 This assignment is based upon an experience encountered where a patient admitted to the Accident and Emergency department died suddenly and was later transferred to the mortuary. By reflecting upon the incident it is acknowledged that, although the practice witnessed in my opinion is undesirable, it is performed to prevent distress for the general public. John's (2000)

  • Word count: 2241
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Literature review. In this academic assignment the student will critically review the following article Verbal abuse experienced by nursing students. The student will attempt to critically review the article by using an evaluative framework.

Introduction In this academic assignment the student will critically review the following article "Verbal abuse experienced by nursing students". The student will attempt to critically review the article by using an evaluative framework. According to Innova (2004) an evaluative framework is a plan to ensure all aspects of a critique are covered. The student will attempt to judge the quality of the authors work and making relevant comments on it. According to Lewis and Barnes (1997) (cited in Smith 1997) critiquing an article entails adopting an objective and balanced approach when estimating the value of a piece of research by highlighting its strengths and limitations. Title of Article According to Gerrish and Lacey (2006) a good title of an article should be explicit and relatively brief while describing the proposed study. Parahoo (2006) believes that the title should immediately capture the reader's attention to the chosen area of the study and, it should refer to the population from whom the data was collected. Polit and Beck (2006) suggests that research reports should begin with a title that succinctly coveys in 15 words of fewer the nature of the study. The title in this article is suitable as it manages to capture the reviewer's attention and caused an interest to continue to read the full article as it is relevant to those in the health care profession. However

  • Word count: 2353
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Management of an elderly patient with traumatic brain injury: A case study.

Running head: Case Study MANAGEMENT OF AN ELDERLY PATIENT WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: A CASE STUDY BY RIMA KADDOURA AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT "No head injury is so serious that it should be despaired of nor so trivial that it can be ignored."(The Hippocratic aphorism). The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, first discussed cerebrovascular injuries 2400 years ago. He described them as the onset of sudden paralysis.800 years later; this sudden onset of paralysis was termed apoplexy. During this time, the Swiss pathologist Johann Jakob Wepfer discovered that apoplexy (i.e. cerebrovascular injury) was caused by a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. Traumatic brain injury causes more than 80,000 emergency department visit in the elderly population (aged 65 years or older) each year (Gangavati et al., 2009). While motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the younger population (Susman et al., 2002), studies have concluded to other findings for the older population. More than 50% of TBI in the elderly are due to fall-related injuries, while this population constitutes 20% of all TBIs (Yap, & Chua, 2008). These numbers are especially important when considering the fact that the population aged 65 years or older is constantly growing (Susman et al., 2002). With this change in the population's demographics, the number of

  • Word count: 2650
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Explore a variety of issues related to advocacy and empowerment, and begin to develop a personal concept of the nurse's role in supporting users/carers to achieve independence

Living within a Community: The nurse's role module (Module code: HCN06-1) Learning Outcome: Explore a variety of issues related to advocacy and empowerment, and begin to develop a personal concept of the nurse's role in supporting users/carers to achieve independence by Martina Bazikova In this essay the writer will identify the importance of advocacy and empowerment and reflect upon her own application of these concepts within the field of learning-disability nursing. Before researching this learning contract, the writer had little perception of advocacy and empowerment, nor their tremendous significance, despite several years' experience working in nursing. It is within learning-disability nursing the benefits of both disciplines have been most strongly felt in recent times. Working on a practice placement caring for such patients, and principally on one individual case, detailed later, the writer has come to value them and to consider their increasing use in this field, as shown by the recent White Paper Valuing People (published in March 2001). This learning outcome was chosen for these reasons, and, having exploited these issues in practice, the writer has begun to appreciate the value of the perception of independence. The UKCC Code of Professional Conduct, first published in June 1992, states that nurses must "act always in such a manner as to promote and

  • Word count: 2776
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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What is mental health?

What is Mental Health? Defined by Wooton (1959, p.221) Mental Health influences the way an individual adjusts to live and behave in a resourceful and fulfilling manner in his/hers world, and deals in a socially considerate manner the challenges and obstacles which life presents. I chose this definition because it describes mental health from a perspective, that mental health is more than an absence of mental illness (Jormfeldt et al, p.55). In evidence of the above, mental health does not just mean mental illness, it also means positive mental health (Magyary 2002, p.331). Positive mental health envelops: positive thinking, feelings, behaviours; crucial e.g.: to be able to make rational decisions; deliver a professional care to patients; learn; network; have self awareness (Burnard 1992, p.13); and deal, and cope with moments of fear, anxiety, change, stress, and physical illness (Long 1998, p.535-541). In contrast Mental illness or mental health problems is the term used to describe individuals experiencing problems in the way they think, feel, behave, and cope with life events that are not expected as part of society/culture/religion; resulting in significant affect in their relationships, work, studies, motivation, self-esteem and quality of life (Diamond & Barker 1996, p.13). Discussing the definition by Wooton (1959, p.221), in relation to the part "socially

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Written assignment that critically examines the effectiveness of policy, frameworks and assessment tools in public health disease management. Discuss the role of the community nurse and multidisciplinary team in empowering individuals and populations in r

Public health is concerned with, reducing health inequality minimising health risks and improving the health status of populations' (Brocklehurst, 2004). Wanless (2004, p23), defines public health as, 'The Science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organised efforts and informed choice of society, organisations public and private, communities and individuals". Throughout this paper the author will critically discuss the effectiveness of policies frameworks and assessment tools, used in public health disease management; in relation to the prevention and management of adults at risk of or with type two Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in the United Kingdom (UK). The Author will consider how environmental, epidemiological and demographic data can be used to highlight the underlying social determinants of a population's health, influencing policy making, and public health frameworks. Key issues to arise at local level following strategic plans to reflect government policy will be identified, and the role of the nurse and Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) in implementing such policies will be examined. Within this strategy's employed in the authors' local area will be identified. The focus will then turn to empowerment, and the effectiveness of nursing frameworks and assessment tool, used to enable individuals and groups to become responsible for their

  • Word count: 4626
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Reflective Essay - Discuss core professional issues that underpin inter professional health and social care practice, making reference to your own future profession and to your own personal development

Course: BANS Nursing Adult Faculty: Health and wellbeing University: Sheffield Hallam University Date of submission: 30th March 2009 Subject: Foundation of Inter Professional Practice Essay title: Component 2 - Reflective Essay - Discuss core professional issues that underpin inter professional health and social care practice, making reference to your own future profession and to your own personal development. Includes Action Plan (after reference list) Word Count: 1569 Within this essay there will be an explanation of why communication is very important when working with in the health setting and how reflecting on my own experiences when working with a different group of student professionals can improve my communication skills and how learning vital skills in communications now will make me a more effective communicator when I become a trained staff nurse. Also within this assignment I will explain why it is important to understand different types of barriers in communication. Professionalism is the way in which a person works in a group, the person will have knowledge of their chosen subject and codes of conduct in which they must follow so everyone is treated equally taking

  • Word count: 1923
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Nursing Process

Leanne Battersby 7024576 BA Hons Adult Nursing Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Sheffield Hallam University 20th June 2008 Principles and Practice of Nursing 1 Word Count 3,838 Principles and Practice of Nursing 1 Assignment This assignment will show the writers understanding and knowledge of the nursing process. In order to do this a specific patient has been chosen, focussing on one goal of care highlighted through the use of the assessment of a nursing model. To maintain confidentiality and protect autonomy, the patients name has been changed and any details through which a reader could identify the patient or the care location have also been changed. This complies with the NMC professional code of conduct (2002). Furthermore for legal issues, the writer has gained consent from the selected patient. The writer explained to the patient clearly what information would be needed in the report and that confidentiality would always be maintained. With this information the writer was able to gain informed consent. The information provided was gathered from a number of sources. Primarily the patient and their medical notes, but also from medical and nursing staff. The specific patient is Joyce, 66 years of age. Joyce visited her GP complaining of abdominal and back pain along with indigestion. After being referred for an ultra sound scan and having several blood tests,

  • Word count: 4659
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Contemporary Issues in Adult Nursing: Preoperative Fasting

Contemporary Issues in Adult Nursing: Preoperative Fasting Trends in healthcare are continually evolving and changing, these fluctuations can often have massive implications for nursing practice. How we practice as nurses is often dictated by new policy and guidelines which are brought about by the evolving healthcare system. For an issue to be contemporary it has to be occurring in the present and in the sense of nursing it would seem that many issues could be deemed as contemporary due to the ever fluctuating nature of our healthcare service. For the purpose of this assignment I am going to address the issue of pre-operative fasting and the tradition of fasting patients from midnight until surgery the following day. Evidence suggests that this practice is outdated and unnecessary but still the practice occurs on many surgical wards. I aim to explore the reasons why patients are still subjected to unnecessarily long fasting times and how we as nurses can change this outdated practice. I have chosen to look at this area of contemporary nursing because as a student nurse I have had practice experience in both a surgical ward and in general theatre. I feel that having had experience in both of these settings I would be able to link theory to practice experience. Fasting patients from midnight before day of surgery has long been a time honoured tradition. The main

  • Word count: 2645
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Society, policy and practice - Reflection - The aim of this assignment is to reflect on an issue from placement which is relevant to the theoretical content of this semester.

Society, policy and practice Reflection The aim of this assignment is to reflect on an issue from placement which is relevant to the theoretical content of this semester. John (1995), states that the purpose of reflection is to promote desirable practice through the practitioners understanding and learning about his/her lived experiences (cited in Boud, 1998). Reflective writing provides us with the opportunity to document a previous experience, which we can then explore and discuss and learn from our findings. To help structure my reflection I have chosen the model developed by Gibbs (1998), which is perceived as reflection on action. I have chosen this particular model as I feel the structure allows me the greatest opportunity to question my learning and develop it further. The structure of the model is cyclical and contains six main questions which will guide me, allowing me to discuss fully the issue concerned. Permission from all those involved has been sought in order that I can use this issue for my assignment and all names of all involved have been changed so that confidentiality can be maintained in line with the NMC (2002). Description Some of the most difficult moral dilemmas that we are likely to encounter concern human life, a good example of this kind of dilemma is one which occurred within my last placement. Towards the end of my placement I was asked

  • Word count: 1855
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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