Gibb's Reflection on Taking Vital Signs from a Patient

This paper describes a nursing student's experience of taking vital signs from a patient in a clinical setting. The student discusses the importance of patient identifiers, consent, and documentation. The student reflects on their feelings, evaluation, and analysis of the experience, and shares an action plan for future clinical practice. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the experience will affect the student's future clinical practice.

Running head: GIBB’S REFLECTION
GIBB’S REFLECTION
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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Description
In this paper I will describe about my experience of taking vital signs from a patient. The
event was taking place in a clinical setting. Initially I identified the patient by the help of two
patient identifiers and then greeted him warmly to make the situation, conducing for both the
patients and me. After that I took consent from the patient and assessed the temperature of the
eardrum by the help of ear drum thermometer. I made it sure to cross check the temperature and
noted down the document in the vital signs record sheet. After this I asked for the patient’s
permission to check his pulses followed by documentation of the results. Throughout the
procedure I made it sure that I explain all the procedures and their role to the patient. With this I
ended my duty the check the assigned vital signs.
Feelings
I was a bit perturbed when I entered the room and was constantly under pressure whether
everything would go well. I tried to create a non-hostile environment for the patient as I have
learnt that building up of a rapport between the patient and the caregivers is one of the important
aspect of nursing. I am well aware of the NMBA standards of nursing and always try to
incorporate them into practice. I made it sure to find the correct position to obtain the radial pulse
and body temperature. As per the NMBA standard 4, a nurse should be able to conduct
assessment comprehensively in a holistic way (Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia, 2016).
I was having a fixed feeling of anxiousness whether I am showing enough care or providing a
holistic care of approach or was abiding by the nurse scope of practice. I ensured that I would

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handle all the equipment for the vital signs carefully. I felt relieved after taking the signs as I saw
the satisfactory smile of the patient.
Evaluation
I made it sure that I do not force the thermometer into the era or occlude the ear canal. I
made sure to identify the patient using he two identifiers. The two patient identifiers helps the
nurses to avoid clinical errors such as medication errors, wrong person procedures, wrong
discharge plan and enhance the patient care (Lavin et al., 2016). I have chosen to measure the ear
temperature instead of taking the oral or the axillary temperature as I have learnt that, it gives an
accurate assessment of the body temperature.
Additionally tympanic membrane possess the same vascular artery perfusing the
hypothalamus that gives an accurate temperature (Jahanpour et al., 2013). Hence I feel that I
have chosen the correct way of measuring the body temperature. I had to touch the patient for
obtaining the radial pulse. I made it sure that I at least obtain a verbal consent from the patient.
According to Judkins-Cohn et al, (2013), the ethical principles of autonomy and justice directly
directs to the process of the informed consent is one of the professional codes of conduct of
nursing. While obtaining the pulse I made it sure that I use the correct way that is using the pad
of my three fingers to gently palpate the radial pulse at the inner lateral list.
A mistake on my part was that I was too slow in obtaining the temperature. I should have
kept the thermometer for 2 seconds.
Analysis

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As per the NMBA standard 4, it is the duty of the nurse to use an allied range of assessment
techniques that are holistic as well as culturally safe (Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia,
2016). The concept of cultural safety enables a nurse to accept the culture and values of the
patient and provide quality care to everybody regardless of the cast and creed (Jeffreys, 2015). It
should be mentioned that before the conduction of any assessment it is necessary to make a
detailed planning to avoid any clinical errors. As per the nursing standard 4, it is essential to
check the signs carefully as these are the essential components of patient care (Nursing and
Midwifery board of Australia, 2016). They are the information that are required to take the
lifesaving decisions and helps to confirm the outcomes of any treatment (Fridkin et al., 2015).
Feedback from the patients are important aspect of nursing as it assists the nurses to understand
the level of patient satisfaction or grievances such that the service could be improved in the
future scope of practice (Ross, Barr & Stevens, 2013).
Conclusion
I believe that I need to develop more technical skills and more self-confidence, as self-
confidence would help to achieve more autonomous practice in the future, which would
ultimately benefit those who are the recipients of the nursing care. According to the NMBA
nursing standard 4, a nurse should be able to work in a multidisciplinary team, facilitating a
mutual sharing and learning of knowledge (Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia, 2016).
According to Porter et al., (2013) self-confidence has been identified as the key component for
the effective clinical performance. Hence preparation and skill acquisition is an important aspect
to ensure that we the nurses have successful clinical placements, especially in the high areas of
the acuity. However, self-reflection would help me to critically analyze the clinical experience
that would help the nurse to gain insight to self-practice.

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Action plan
In the future scope of practice I would further develop my interpersonal skills as I have
felt that I lack skills in establishing rapport with the patients. I should abide strictly by the
nursing protocols while administration of medicines or checking of the vital signs as that would
increase my efficiency. I would ensure that I should also be able to interpret the signs correctly.
Furthermore I would remain updated by the advancements in the field of the wireless
technologies and the new equipment. I would ensure a correct documentation of the clinical
information (Khan et al., 2016). According to Fridkin et al (2015), correct documentation of the
vital signs helps the nurses during the shift handover and also helps in the administration of
medicines. I would learn more about electronic health and safety as that would help in the
enhancement of the patient safety and the procedures. Such a practice would assist in mitigating
clinical errors in the future.
How will it affect my future clinical practice
This experience will help me in my future clinical placement as I feel that such and in
hand experience not only helps me to understand the difference between theoretical nursing and
evidence based practice but has also boosted up my confidence level. This practice would help
in developing the interpersonal skills, self-awareness for influencing others towards a positive
change which would ultimately cater to the professional development. This reflective practice
would further help in the involvement of the person in their work as well as motivate them to
improve their care to the patients (Lauren Caldwell RN,2013). Such hand on experiences would
give me the ability to examine my own actions and experiences and compare it for improved
outcomes.

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