My Fieldwork At Whittier Health Network

Obesity was significantly more prevalent amongst female African Americans in this community. With the highest rate affecting women between the ages of 45 to 64. Obesity was also higher amongst Black females who’s educational attainment was lower

Meningococcal disease is a disease that can be found worldwide. Meningococcal disease refers to any disease or illness that is caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitides, also called meningococcus (Meningococcal disease, 2015). The first documented outbreak was over two hundred years ago in Geneva in 1805 which circulated rapidly and killed thirty three people. The first case ever recorded in America was in 1806 in Medford, Massachusetts (Fredericks, n.d.). A European physician, Professor A Weichselbaum, discovered the cause of the mysterious cerebro-spinal meningitis illness in 1887 and Penicillin was the first antibiotic used to fight the disease. In 1978 the first

First of all, I recognized that I was dealing with humans, and not just dealing with a disease process and application of the nursing process in the aspect of restoring patient health. I was dealing with emotions, and families, and cultural beliefs that influenced individual’s aspects of care. I started to see that health did not just incorporate healing the disease, but also recognized the importance of making sure patient’s felt that their

Some patients were shocked as they had never been hospitalized because they never had any other medical problems. Some patients knew that they have a chance of heart disease as they have seen in other family members. There were some patients who were angry about the fact that they couldn’t afford health insurance and they didn’t go to the doctor regularly. While others knew what they might get heart attacks again in the future as they had heart attacks in the past. These people knew what was coming, but they didn’t not adhere with the therapeutic regimen their providers talked about. Different patients had different perception of the disease process. After hospitalization, a lot of patient will request information on smoking cessation. Patients tell you that they will follow low salt diet and show interest in dash diet. Patient states that they will follow medication regimen, follow up appointments, diets and exercise regularly. These illness behavior is the reason of shock from heart attack, frustration at themselves for not following healthy lifestyle, dismay at themselves or their financial situation and feeling powerless over their own

I have gained full consent to use this lady as my patient in my care study. Consent is important as you must always gain permission from the patient in regards to their care plan and keep them fully informed. ‘It is vital that the person consents before any treatment, care, examination or assessment’ (Brooker et al., 2007, p.157). ‘Confidentiality is a fundamental part of professional practice that protects human rights’ (NMC, 2008). To maintain my patient’s confidentiality throughout my care study I am going to call her Annie. Annie is a 72 year old lady whose care I have been involved with on placement. Annie’s medical history included; previous left hip replacement, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and

The problem in this scenario is the challenges faced with trying to implement a new clinical pathway. This particular clinical pathway trying to be implemented is concerning ventilator-dependent patients who are discharged to home with home health care needs. These patients tend to have multiple health care needs beyond the ventilator and the new clinical pathway will establish a smooth transition from hospital to home, allowing for all the patient’s needs to be met. The challenges arise when trying to get all areas of the health care team to get involved. This especially includes the physicians that seem reluctant to follow a nurse’s guidelines. Not only are the physicians reluctant, the home health care representative will not be available to attend team meetings for a while. The new clinical pathway is due to be started in one month, so there is little time to get all parties on board.

We administer oxygen therapy, bronchodilators and preform bronchial hygiene therapy for these patients. We also responsible for managing the ventilators, which is a very important part of care for these patient that can help them recover and prevent barotrauma. Sometimes as Respiratory therapist we must advocate for our patients care. Based on this patient current medical situation I would suggest that this patient be discharged to a skilled nursing home facility. With the patient’s mental status, it is not safe for him to live independently without proper monitor of home oxygen and medication prescribed by his physician. I also would recommend smoke cessation therapy for this

This essay will revolve around Mr H, A 68- year- old retired gentleman, who presented on the unit with shortness of breath from this general practitioner for further tests. He was clearly struggling to breathe and maintain his oxygen levels within his body. On admission and taking his history, it was obvious that Mr H was clearly overweight at 112 kg, and further more was a smoker of approximately 40 cigarettes a day, for the past 40 yrs and was a regular drinker of 5 pints of alcohol a night, what's more he also suffered from CHD, so had to give up

I arrived to work well rested and ready to start the day. I had just returned after a two week long vacation. Because of the time off, I arrived to 7 East to find that the assortment of patients was not familiar at all. As I began getting reports on my patients, one in particular I started to feel a little anxious and stressed. At first glance I could tell I would be busy for the next twelve hours. Lynda was a 45 year old woman that was admitted almost a week ago after having an emergent tracheostomy placed. Lynda was newly diagnosed with laryngeal cancer with already having several other diagnoses including: seizure disorders, mild mental retardation, behavioral issues, and was legally

With the health care system changing so rapidly, it is important that nurses are autonomous. It is necessary, as patient advocates, that we understand the cause and effect of all entities involving our patients. Critical thinking and making the correct judgment call clinically is vital. A patient situation which comes to mind is an 86 year old female, weighing 50kg, Vital Signs: Blood Pressure: 80/50, Heart Rate: 102 (Sinus Tachycardia), Respirations:

I visited Wilmington Health Access for Teens for a field experience observation. Through this experience I observed different types of people seeking care in the clinic. Some people I saw in the clinic were African American females with children and Caucasian females. People who come into the clinic are seeking medical assistance and following up on routine examination appointments. I learned of different barriers when accessing care at the clinic and types of presenting health problems among adolescents and teens. From this field experience, I learned about Wilmington Health Access for Teens health services and how they help teens improve their health and provide preventions, education and outreach services to promote optimal health

Through the convenience sampling, 90 clients were recruited as research participants were in the waiting room of the respiratory clinic. 60 subjects agreed to attend a support group for socialization with each other. 30 of 60 clients were assigned to participate in the presentation and therapeutic exercises by the instructor. The instructor group divided into halves: 15 clients received instructions with family caregiver and the other clients without a caregiver. The second 30 clients received written materials and allowed to access the website for video presentation and exercises. Half of website group assigned to the family caregiver and the other half without a caregiver. The last 30 subjects were assigned as a control group, and half of these clients received usual care with family caregiver and other 15 clients without a family caregiver. The data was collected by the pulmonary functional status survey, 30 items, five points, Likert-type scale.

My patients demographic was an older, Caucasian women, who had a 10th grade education. She had a rough up bringing which led to her turning to substances abuse to help with the difficulties. She started smoking cigarettes as well as marijuana at the age of 15. Ever since she found out the she has COPD, she has quit smoking and being corporative with learning how to cope with it.

In the health care system, a multitude of errors occurs on a daily basis. Doctors, nurses, orderly’s, etc., everyone in health care settings has responsibilities that warrant careful attention. This was exhibited in the case study titled ‘An Extended Stay’. In this case study, we are introduced to a middle-aged man in his 60s named Mr. Stanley Londborg. He presented with several health conditions, including a seizure disorder, hypertension (also known as high blood pressure), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Londborg was no stranger to the hospital and was known fairly well by faculty members. Londborg paid a visit to the Emergency Room at the hospital complaining of wheezing and breathing complications. The physician that examined Mr. Londborg yielded his symptoms as an acute worsening of

During my first semester student clinical rotation, I was introduced to patient, 76 year old AB who was being treated at an assisted living facility. She was a wonderful patient and someone I immediately connected with. AB had been medically diagnosed with COPD and displayed all the classic physical signs of the disease such as wheezing, deliberate breathing, severe shortness of breath and nutritional deficit. She was my first patient as a student nurse and the first person I was able to complete a health assessment and nursing care plan for. I recognized early on that AB was special and someone who would be a great person to communicate with. With the initial assessment she was a little scared, but