Gibb's Reflection on Taking Vital Signs from a Patient

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

1GIBB’S REFLECTION
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

2GIBB’S REFLECTION
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