What to do for this patient simulation????

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · May 2, 2011

Wow, we didnt get our simulation info until right before the scenerio. We recieved a report and did things based on what happened once we got into the room. I think its better that way because we got to utilize critical thinking just as if it were real life.

greenfiremajick · May 2, 2011

i have a simulation tomorrow where myself and another student nurse will have to take care of this patient and we have no clue on what we will have to do. Here is the patient information.
64 yrs old had left modified radial mastectomy
-allergic to ink
-Meds- lantus 10 units at night, humilin R sliding scale with meal and at night
- Dilaudid 2 mgs iv push q 3 hrs
-O2 2L nasal to keep O2 above 92%
-Vitals- HR 84, BP 142/84, RR 20, O2 98%, Temp 37.7C
-Clear breath sounds
-Hypoactive Bowels
-800 mL clear urinevoided overnight
-C/O pain in calf 10/10
-
Pt feels achy, refused to get out of bed since surgery 2 days ago
HELP![/quote
What does your care plan say? What does your care plan say for post op patients? What should be your prioritiy? What does a pain in the calf mean?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=care+of+post+op+masectomy+patient
I think you need to sit down and develop a plan of care....take a deep breath and concentrate. There is a reason for care plans other than to be a pain in your bum!! That's to develop a plan to care for your patient......think ABC's and what is important after surgery whether the patient likes it or not....
I know shcool is over whelming at times......but there is a method behind your instructors madness...
Good Luck!
I thought there was madness behind their methods????

roser13, ASN, RN · May 2, 2011

Wow, we didnt get our simulation info until right before the scenerio. We recieved a report and did things based on what happened once we got into the room. I think its better that way because we got to utilize critical thinking just as if it were real life.

I know, right? Sometimes, the "old world" way of doing things is actually helpful!

thehipcrip · May 3, 2011

First, identify what are the greatest needs for the patient.
ex. pain, insulin, decrease bowel sounds etc
Then, in your med/surg text book read up on a care plan for pt with mastectomy.
this will allow you to further prioritize your nursing care plans

You might want to re-read the patient data, which said the patient had hypo-active bowels, not hyper-active bowels....

roser13, ASN, RN · May 3, 2011

You might want to re-read the patient data, which said the patient had hypo-active bowels, not hyper-active bowels....

And there you have it, ladies & gentlemen. OP needs to read the scenario for him/herself, without our various inputs. Sometimes our input is helpful, sometimes not. Allnurses.com does not always add to the student nurse's education; in fact we may sometimes be a hindrance by giving too much information, gratis.

At any rate, every nursing student should learn to think critically, on his or her own.

snugz · May 3, 2011

Im in my 3rd semester of nursing right now and that is how my simulations went for the first 2 semesters. Now in semester 3, we get the scenario right before we see the "patient". I think because we were new students, they gave us time to go home, research and familiarize ourselves. I liked this way for the beginner students because it eased a lot of anxieties.

greenfiremajick · May 3, 2011

And there you have it, ladies & gentlemen. OP needs to read the scenario for him/herself, without our various inputs. Sometimes our input is helpful, sometimes not. Allnurses.com does not always add to the student nurse's education; in fact we may sometimes be a hindrance by giving too much information, gratis.
At any rate, every nursing student should learn to think critically, on his or her own.

I disagree. I think everyone learns differently, utilizing many different methods of learning and support systems. Some need to be guided towards an answer (not given the answer) while others can and should be doing it completely on their own. This is simply not a black and white issue....There are gray areas to consider, as well...

I'm in full support of not helping those that clearly come here, after doing no work, and ask for the answers....

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 3, 2011

We have simulations also at my CC and I will tell you first hand that coming to AN for help will not help you use critical thinking. The point of Sim is for you to use your own critical thinking skills to take care of a pt. This is set up for you to learn and grow not fail. Please read your text, go over your labs, go over medications and prepare. Good luck

roser13, ASN, RN · May 3, 2011

I disagree. I think everyone learns differently, utilizing many different methods of learning and support systems. Some need to be guided towards an answer (not given the answer) while others can and should be doing it completely on their own. This is simply not a black and white issue....There are gray areas to consider, as well...
I'm in full support of not helping those that clearly come here, after doing no work, and ask for the answers....

I can understand your position. But don't you feel that nursing students' various learning styles should be overseen and guided by their nursing instructors who have personal contact with them?

Who are we (online forum participants) to know who is by necessity asking for help/guidance and who is simply seeking a way out of homework?

Fribblet · May 3, 2011

I say if we start giving the students who come here for an easy answer the wrong answer, then they just might stop coming.

greenfiremajick · May 3, 2011

I can understand your position. But don't you feel that nursing students' various learning styles should be overseen and guided by their nursing instructors who have personal contact with them?
Who are we (online forum participants) to know who is by necessity asking for help/guidance and who is simply seeking a way out of homework?

As I said, I'm in full support of not helping those who clearly have not made the effort and cannot show that they have done at least some amount of work/critical thinking....At what level should we decide is enough "work and critical thinking" from the student? I think that's subjective....

As far as various learning styles, I think that is also a student responsibility, therefore seeking help/support from new, innovative and/or various sources should be encouraged. That's my opinion, anyway....

greenfiremajick · May 3, 2011

I say if we start giving the students who come here for an easy answer the wrong answer, then they just might stop coming.

I see that as just plain mean-spirited....