Journal Prompt 3: Self-Awareness and Social Awareness Domains
As a student nurse I’ve encountered scenarios that needed effective prioritization. I was involved in one of those scenarios last semester during a simulation of a patient with CHF and UTI. Undeniably, as a nursing student, I ought to be very good at prioritizing effectively, as it’s a crucial skill in nursing: Journal Prompt 3: Self-Awareness and Social Awareness Domains.
Situation Overview
As I conducted the exercise, the patient showed symptoms that indicated CHF and UTI. Symptoms of UTI included dysuria and fever, while those of CHF included shortness of breath, fatigue, and some confusion. These complications demanded that I instantly evaluate for the most urgent concern.
Decision-Making Process
The overlapping symptoms of the two conditions (CHF and UTI) made it very challenging to make a decision. However, it made logical sense to focus on the patient’s respiratory condition first because untreated CHF could bring about serious complications like liver dysfunction, pulmonary edema, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death or a reduced quality of life (Malik, 2023).
Notably, CHF is one of the most prevalent conditions globally, affecting approximately 26 million people, according to Malik (2023). The patient’s difficulty in breathing suggested fluid overload problems that possibly created risks for respiratory failure. Therefore, my final decision was to restore breathing stability first.
I used pathophysiological knowledge together with ethical principles to direct my decision. Knowledge about pulmonary edema risks among CHF patients validated the requirement for urgent treatment. As a nurse, it became my moral obligation to guarantee patient safety; therefore, I addressed the most dangerous risk factor since it was first.
Pathophysiological and Ethical Principles
The pathophysiological concept essential to this case reveals how fluid retention from CHF develops into congested lungs and disrupted breathing. The critical interventions I selected to relieve the patient’s respiratory distress included both diuretic administration and oxygen provision so as to stop their condition from worsening. Subsequently, during the clinical experience, I followed the ethical principle of beneficence since it requires healthcare providers to act in ways that benefit patients most. I made medical decisions that delivered maximum benefits to patient health and brought minimal negative effects.
Reflection
Looking back, I understand my critical respiratory treatment choice was correct yet I should have communicated the basis of my decision better to my team. Effective communication serves as a paramount requirement in clinical environments because it enables all team members to collaborate on their patient care methods (O’Daniel, n.d).
The simulation solidified my understanding of delivering proper care priorities as a nursing student. Patient care decisions must utilize ethical concepts in addition to clinical expertise, according to this experience. The next clinical scenario will require continuous improvement in my prioritization skills, together with excellent communication practices with my colleagues.
References
Malik, A. (2023, November 5). Congestive heart failure. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430873/
O’Daniel, M. (n.d.). Professional Communication and Team Collaboration. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2637/
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Question 
- Scenario: In last semester’s simulation. (patient with CHF AND UTI)
- Prioritization is an essential skill for nursing practice. Describe in detail a situation in which you, as the student nurse, needed to prioritize for your patient. What made the decision easy or difficult? What guided your decision to prioritize in the way you chose? What pathophysiological and ethical principles were involved?
Journal Prompt 3: Self-Awareness and Social Awareness Domains
- Prioritization is an essential skill for nursing practice. Describe in detail a situation in which you, as the student nurse, needed to prioritize for your patient. What made the decision easy or difficult? What guided your decision to prioritize in the way you chose? What pathophysiological and ethical principles were involved?
N/B: *Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete this assignment is strictly prohibited. USE SIMPLE ENGLISH/TERMS