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Reader’s Practice Profile
In this section you can study practice profiles from other readers, who explain how they used Nursing Standard Learning Zone articles to improve their own practice.
Triage
A learning zone article has helped to answer some of the questions Lindsey Pearson had about the triage process. I found this article timely and interesting because I work in an emergency department where the triage process is currently being changed. The article helped to clarify what it actually means to 'triage' patients and highlighted some important issues. While I understand the basics of the Manchester Triage System, it is not used in my department so it was helpful to have it explained clearly.
This practice profile is based on:
NS620 Ganley L, Gloster AS (2011) An overview of triage in the emergency department. Nursing Standard. 26, 12, 49-56
In this section:
- Anticoagulant therapyDuring an oncology placement I encountered a patient who was being treated with warfarin. I realised I did not know enough about this type of therapy to care for the patient effectively.
- Atrial fibrillationAtrial fibrillation is a common post-operative complication for patients on a cardiothoracic ward. It is important to recognise it early, give a clear explanation of the condition to the patient and instigate early treatment with appropriate anticoagulants.
- Cancer cachexiaAs a result of reading the article, I have improved my knowledge of the effects of cachexia, including social and psychological implications, the cachectic process and the acute phase response. It is important for nurses to differentiate between normal weight loss (caused by reduced food intake), which can be rectified, and cachexia.
- Cataract surgeryAs a nurse practitioner studying for a diploma in diabetes care, I have become increasingly aware of eye disorders in patients with diabetes. Most of the literature relates to the risks of retinopathy: however, diabetes also accelerates cataract formation.
- CellulitisI regularly encountered patients with cellulitis while on community placement. It quickly became evident to me that this was a painful condition that was not only distressing for the patient but also for the families involved.
- Children’s travel healthAs a travel health nurse I often see families about to travel overseas. To provide appropriate and holistic advice a travel health nurse should undertake a destination-specific risk assessment.
- Dealing with obesityWith an increasing number of people classified as overweight in the UK, it is important to understand the causes, diagnosis and health risks associated with excess body fat.
- DeliriumI work in a care home in which most of the residents are older people, the majority of whom have some form of dementia.
- DeliriumI often assess patients who are reportedly confused or considered to have 'early dementia'. Some patients were living independently and their confusion is of recent onset. Such symptoms might indicate delirium, so I was interested to read the learning zone article.
- DementiaAs I work in a nursing home for older people with dementia, I found the article particularly relevant to my practice. Communication is a fundamental need for all human beings and is essential to everyday life. It enhances a sense of belonging and is at the core of a nurse's professional practice.
- Dementia careSymptoms of dementia include memory loss, mood changes and communication difficulties. When caring for patients with dementia it is vital to be able to understand their needs, but this is not always possible on wards where staff are extremely busy and where family members or carers may not be present to help articulate patients' wishes.
- Dementia careAn appreciation of the unique way in which dementia affects each individual is key to effective communication with those who have the disease. Factors that influence communication include sensory deficit, lack of clarity, distractions such as noise and movement, anxiety, fear and reluctance to participate.
- Diabetic ketoacidosisI am a band 5 staff nurse in an acute medical unit where patients are commonly admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. The article updated my knowledge of the condition and the latest treatment guidelines.
- Domestic violence I am studying to work as a health visitor and have researched domestic violence as part of my training. This article has helped me to think about my responses when someone discloses such violence.
- Domestic violenceAs a paediatric nurse in an emergency department, I am aware of a close link between domestic violence and child abuse. The ways in which someone subjected to domestic violence and a child in need can be abused are very similar.
- Faecal incontinence Nurses in almost every care environment come into contact with faecally incontinent patients. It is therefore vital that we, as practitioners, are aware of the issues relating to it.
- Faecal incontinence Susanna Crichton now has a better understanding of the benefits of active drainage systems
- Healthy ageing I work in a dementia research clinic, and promoting healthy ageing is an important part of what we do. This article outlined the key points that need to be addressed to improve the quality of life of older people.
- Healthy ageingWorking as a nurse in acute medicine, I encounter patients daily who exhibit signs of undernourishment. The article highlighted the importance of lifestyle factors such as nutrition in healthy ageing.
- Infection controlThe article made me aware that Escherichia coli is normally found in the human gastrointestinal tract and causes healthcare associated infection (HCAI).
- Inhaler techniqueMany of the older patients on my ward have asthma and use various inhaler devices. It is essential for good asthma control that the correct drug is prescribed and delivered effectively to the lungs.
- Job applicationsI am a third-year pre-registration nursing student and have just started the final module of my course. The module is aimed at preparing pre-registration nursing students for their transition to fully qualified, registered nurse status.
- Managing asthmaThis article has improved my understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and the role of pharmacological therapies. I am now confident in my ability to identify risk factors for asthma and help people make positive changes in their lifestyle to improve control of the disease.
- Menopause The article improved my awareness of the signs of menopause, as well as the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Mental health in older peopleI read this article to help me recognise the common mental health problems that an older person may present with, such as depression, delirium and dementia, on admission to a general hospital.
- MentorshipI work on a mental health assessment ward for older people, and recently attended a mentorship course at Glasgow Caledonian University. I have now mentored students and nurses at various stages of their training, and assisted other members of the team to mentor nursing students on the ward.
- Metastatic breast cancerPatients admitted to the oncology ward with breast cancer are in various stages of the disease. Some will receive their first dose of chemotherapy whereas others may need emergency treatment for febrile neutropaenia or other side effects of chemotherapy.
- MRSAThe learning zone article on meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) enabled me to evaluate the management of healthcare-associated infections and infection control policies.
- MRSA in hospitalsAs a nursing student, it is essential for me to update my knowledge continually so that I can provide patients with the best care possible.
- Nebuliser therapyNebuliser therapy is an important part of nursing patients with respiratory disease. Despite controversy about their use, nebulisers still have value in certain clinical situations.
- Nutrition Various factors should be considered when providing nutritional care to patients with a life-limiting illness. Appetite and behaviour towards food can change and this can affect individuals physically and psychologically.
- Oncological emergenciesAs a nurse returning to the workplace, the article on managing oncological emergencies has given me the opportunity to reflect on my experience and skills, and to focus on how best to improve my knowledge.
- PolypharmacyOlder people often have a number of coexisting health problems and frequently need to take multiple medications. Polypharmacy can be defined as taking four or more different drugs that have the potential to interact with each other.
- PolypharmacyWhen I started working in a nursing home, I was surprised by the number of medications residents take. Almost all take more than four prescription drugs and often it appears that one medication is prescribed to combat the side effects of another.
- Postnatal depressionI was surprised to learn from the article that 13% of women develop a form of depression after childbirth. I also read that most women will not seek help because they fear being judged by others and being thought of as unfit mothers.
- Preventing falls in older peopleNursing students, qualified nurses and healthcare assistants should all be aware of the effect a fall can have on an individual, as well as the cost implications to the NHS. Preventing falls in older people is an important task for nurses on wards or in community settings.
- Spiritual careAs a nursing student in my final community placement, I have been involved in supporting patients, and their families, at the end of life. Accurate and full assessment of palliative care needs is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.
- Temporary tracheostomyI work in a post-anaesthetic care unit, where staff may have to care for patients who have had a tracheostomy inserted in theatre. I also work in an intensive care unit (ICU) that carries out tracheostomies.
- ThyroidectomyI work as a staff nurse on a surgical ward and often care for patients following thyroidectomy. I am aware of the signs and symptoms of possible post-operative complications, but this article improved my understanding of their physiological and medical background.
- Treating psoriasisPsoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that can have an immense physical and psychological effect on people's lives. Before I read the article and did some research, I was not aware of the extent to which it affects people. Patients with psoriasis experience emotional distress and anxiety, and 79% of individuals with psoriasis are extremely self-conscious, being too embarrassed to go swimming or visit the beach (Beresford 2002).
- TriageI found this article timely and interesting because I work in an emergency department where the triage process is currently being changed.
- Vascular access devicesInsertion, care and management of vascular access devices, and administration of fluids and medication are common tasks undertaken on oncology wards.
- Vulnerable adultsI work in a community rehabilitation team treating adults with physical illness or disability. Safeguarding is an issue that is frequently discussed in my team.
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