NR 324 Week 8 Clinical Reflections

NR 324 Week 8 Clinical Reflections

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-324 Adult Health I

Prof. Name:

Date

Clinical Reflections

During my clinical placement, I encountered several meaningful experiences where I was able to provide compassionate and attentive care to patients. One particular case involved a 67-year-old male patient diagnosed with Influenza, which had significantly aggravated his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). His condition was critical, marked by severe shortness of breath, which eventually required ventilator support. He had a background of both COPD and coronary artery disease and lived independently without immediate family support, as his adult children had relocated elsewhere. Despite his deteriorating condition, he remained cooperative and approachable, which allowed for a complete head-to-toe physical assessment.

The patient was initially admitted to the emergency room due to respiratory distress. He was started on oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula at 2 liters per minute. As the day progressed, his breathing became increasingly labored, necessitating an increase in oxygen flow to 6 liters and repositioning into a high Fowler’s position to aid lung expansion. His symptoms continued to worsen, and he began to wheeze, prompting the nurse to notify the physician. The physician subsequently ordered a BiPAP ventilator to assist with his breathing. Fortunately, his condition improved later in the day, allowing for a transition back to 2 liters of oxygen via nasal cannula. By late afternoon, his oxygen saturation had stabilized at 99%, and he appeared more comfortable.

This interaction provided me with a deeper appreciation for the severity of respiratory conditions. Witnessing the patient’s struggle to breathe was emotionally challenging, especially as it was my first time managing such a critically ill individual. Throughout the day, I closely monitored his vital signs and tracked changes in blood pressure and oxygen levels. This case emphasized the critical nature of attentive, responsive care for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress.

NR 324 Week 8 Clinical Reflections

Throughout this semester, the clinical experience emphasized delivering safe and competent care while allowing me to develop foundational nursing skills. I had numerous opportunities to engage in patient care tasks, such as administering medications, performing glucose tests, and delivering insulin injections. Among these, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment in mastering medication administration. My clinical instructor consistently encouraged me to understand the purpose of each drug I administered. This approach enhanced my pharmacological understanding and sharpened my critical thinking skills.

In addition to pharmacological responsibilities, I also administered subcutaneous injections and used an insulin pen for the first time. Under the guidance of my instructor, I learned how to correctly hang and discontinue an IV line, an essential clinical skill. Surprisingly, even basic tasks such as bed-making required adherence to procedural steps I had not previously considered. My instructor walked me through each step of the process, which helped me appreciate the importance of precision in even the most routine aspects of patient care.

One of the more time-consuming and initially overwhelming aspects of clinical practice was documentation. Being new to recording patient care notes, I found that the process took significant time and occasionally diverted attention from hands-on learning. However, I am confident that as I become more familiar with clinical workflows, documentation will become more efficient. Overall, I made substantial progress this semester, particularly in developing a more analytical approach to care. I began making connections between medications and relevant lab values, as well as identifying disease-specific signs and symptoms. This depth of understanding marked a pivotal shift in my development as a student nurse.

Table: Key Clinical Reflections

References

Johnson, J. (2024). Clinical reflections 1 & 2. Course Hero. Retrieved from https://www.coursehero.com/file/40771442/Nr-324-week-8-Clinical-Reflections-1docx/

NR 324 Week 8 Clinical Reflections