Fundamental Component of Clinical Nursing Practice Essay 2022

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1NURSING
Introduction
The term critical reflection can be defined as a fundamental component of clinical
nursing practice that possess the potential to impact booth personal as well as professional
development of an individual. Critical reflection can be used as a method or tool that connects
experiences with methods. Nurses, by implementing the process of critical reflection develop self
awareness that helps them to review as well as improve their clinical skills. As being
recommended by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Standard 1 and 2, critical reflection
in nursing involves incorporation of evidenced based research as well as supervision from senior
colleagues in nursing interventions (Rolfe, Freshwater, Jasper, 2001). In this essay, a detailed
discussion and analysis on the medication error of a nurse and on the importance of the role of a
nursing action plan and personal reflection for future improvement has been performed.
Discussion
Description of the incident
An elderly patient aged 97 years has lost her life after a nurse named Lopez administered cursed
powders of tablet in her saline. This incite demonstrate clear lack critical thinking and reflection.
According to researchers, medical malpractice can be the result of several factors. However, the
prime cause associated with medical malpractice includes medical negligence resulting in
medication error.
The incident took place after the elderly patient demonstrated difficulty in swallowing her oral
medication. In order to provide her with the medication, the accused nurse powdered the
medication and injected the same intravenously. This act, along with the demonstration of lack of
critical thinking also demonstrated that the nurse have proceeded without any king of

2NURSING
communication as well a supervision of the seniors. According to Pai et al., (2017)., the
professional interpersonal communication needs to be adhered for obtaining a credible second
opinion which is directed to the best interest of the patient. It is highly crucial for nurses to
reflect their action since it provides scope for rectification (Snowdon et al., 2017). The above
discussed incident clearly demonstrates, the importance of critical thinking as well as nursing
reflection in the prevention of adverse consequences of the heath care service users, families as
well as organizations (Schuelke & Barnason, 2017).
Consequences of the Incident
The immediate consequences of administering inappropriate medication have result in the
death of the healthcare service user. According to Ortiz, (2018), lack of adherence to the
evidence base practice, critical reflection as well as thinking by the healthcare service providers
often result in loss of trust of the patients as well as their families and even death of the patients.
It can be argued that the action of Lopez, has conducted the act out of empathy to the patient
since she was unable to swallow her medication (Feleke, Mulatu & Yesmaw, 2015). However,
this act of empathy has lead to ethical conflict along with beneficence and non-maleficence
(ACQSH, 2017). According to International Council of Nurses, (2012), nurses possess ethical
obligation of managing and preventing if possible, medical errors. As per the standard 1 of the
NMBA (2016), it is highly crucial for nurses to engage in the pratie that is critical, person
centred evidence based and safe in collaboration with personal reflection (NMBA, 2016). Thus
Lopez is subjected to ethical confrontation of beneficence and non-maleficence since she failed
to balance the possible risks and the benefits associated with her act.