Identify an example of decision making or problem-solving that was required by your nurse. What was the outcome for the patient?

QUESTION

Identify an example of decision making or problem-solving that was required by your nurse. What was the outcome for the patient?

Discuss an example of advocacy used by your nurse.

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Discuss how your observations may impact your practice.

ANSWER

Nurse’s Decision-Making and Advocacy: Impact on Patient Care

Introduction

In the healthcare field, nurses play a critical role in providing comprehensive care and ensuring positive patient outcomes. Their decision-making abilities and advocacy skills are essential in navigating complex situations and delivering optimal care. This essay explores an example of a nurse’s decision-making, highlighting its impact on patient care, and discusses the application of advocacy in nursing practice. Furthermore, it delves into the significance of such observations and their potential impact on my future nursing practice.

Example of Decision-Making

During a busy shift at the hospital, a nurse encountered a patient who had been experiencing prolonged and unexplained episodes of severe pain. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the nurse promptly assessed the patient’s vital signs and conducted a thorough physical examination. Despite the absence of obvious signs, the nurse’s astute clinical judgment led her to suspect an abdominal pathology.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, the nurse swiftly escalated the case to the healthcare team, emphasizing the need for further diagnostic investigations to determine the cause of the pain (Kruk et al., 2018). This decision required a balance between trust in her assessment skills and the collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best course of action for the patient.

The Outcome for the Patient

As a result of the nurse’s timely intervention, the patient underwent additional tests, including imaging studies and laboratory investigations. The results revealed a rare abdominal condition that required immediate surgical intervention. The prompt decision-making by the nurse ensured that the patient received timely treatment, minimizing potential complications and improving the chances of a full recovery.

Advocacy in Nursing

Advocacy in nursing involves actively supporting and promoting the well-being and rights of patients. In an example of advocacy, a nurse encounters a patient who has been prescribed a medication known to cause adverse effects in individuals with specific allergies (Nsiah et al., 2019). Recognizing the potential harm, the nurse advocates for the patient’s safety by communicating her concerns to the prescribing physician.

The nurse provides detailed information about the patient’s medical history, highlighting the specific allergy and its potential implications. Through effective communication and collaboration, the nurse ensures the physician understands the importance of considering alternative medications or adjusting the dosage to prevent harm. By acting as a patient advocate, the nurse prioritizes patient safety and ensures that the healthcare team makes informed decisions in the patient’s best interest.

Impact on Future Nursing Practice

Observing the decision-making and advocacy skills of experienced nurses has a profound impact on one’s own nursing practice (Molina-Mula & Gallo-Estrada, 2020). Witnessing such instances highlights the critical importance of clinical judgment, quick thinking, and effective communication in ensuring positive patient outcomes.

These observations serve as a valuable learning experience, emphasizing the need to continuously develop decision-making abilities and advocacy skills. By recognizing the impact of these skills on patient care, I am motivated to improve my own decision-making processes and strengthen my advocacy skills to enhance patient safety and well-being.

Conclusion

The example of a nurse’s decision-making and advocacy discussed in this essay demonstrates the crucial role nurses play in patient care. Through their astute decision-making, nurses can identify potential issues, escalate concerns, and facilitate timely interventions, leading to positive patient outcomes. Additionally, advocacy empowers nurses to advocate for their patients’ rights and safety, ensuring they receive the best possible care.

Observing these aspects of nursing practice serves as a driving force for personal and professional growth. As a future nurse, I am inspired to cultivate strong decision-making abilities, sharpen my clinical judgment, and prioritize effective advocacy to make a positive impact on patient care. By incorporating these valuable lessons into my practice, I aspire to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, contributing to the advancement of nursing and the well-being of those under my care.

References

Kruk, M. E., Gage, A. D., Arsenault, C., Jordan, K., Leslie, H. H., Roder-DeWan, S., Adeyi, O., Barker, P. M., Daelmans, B., Doubova, S. V., English, M., Garcia-Elorrio, E., Guanais, F. C., Gureje, O., Hirschhorn, L. R., Jiang, L., Kelley, E. F., Lemango, E. T., Liljestrand, J., . . . Pate, M. (2018). High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a revolution. The Lancet Global Health, 6(11), e1196–e1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30386-3 

Molina-Mula, J., & Gallo-Estrada, J. (2020). Impact of Nurse-Patient Relationship on Quality of Care and Patient Autonomy in Decision-Making. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030835 

Nsiah, C., Siakwa, M., & Ninnoni, J. P. K. (2019). Registered Nurses’ description of patient advocacy in the clinical setting. Nursing Open, 6(3), 1124–1132. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.307 

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