Reflection on Clinical Practice

Running head: REFLECTION ON CLINICAL PRACTICE
Reflection on clinical practice
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1REFLECTION ON CLINICAL PRACTICE
Description:
During my clinical practice unit session, I and two other nursing students were assigned
the task administering medication to different types of patients. Based on our classes related to
medication administration, the session was meant to test our skills in medication administration.
We all had to administer medication through different modes. Things went very well for the
person who was administering subcutaneous medication as she followed all good practices. I also
witnessed poor practice of a colleague which creates issues during medication administration.
Gibb’s reflective cycle has been used to describe the situations and the lessons I learnt through
the experience (Gibbs, 1988).
Feelings:
While completing this activity, I was confident as I had prepared very well regarding all
the elements of safe medication administration. However, I knew that medication administration
in a practical environment is different than just theoretical learning. Hence, I was observing the
skills and activities of other nursing students to identify good or poor practice related to
medication administration.
Evaluation:
As I had the responsibility of administering oral medication, I started by following the
five rights of medication administration. I first started with confirming patient’s identity by
reviewing arm band. Then I followed the other four elements of right drug, right dose, right route
and right time. The generic name, dose required, expiry date, sensitivity to the drug and drugs
taken by patient was reviewed (Parry, Barriball & While, 2015). This was a good practice which
helped me to ensure right drug was being given to the right person. During medication

2REFLECTION ON CLINICAL PRACTICE
administration, I took the step to take informed consent from patient and helped the patient to
take a comfortable position (McKenna, 2017). I used appropriate medication dispensing device
and a distraction free environment was maintained during medication administration (Choo,
Johnston & Manias, 2013). Everything went well for me also because patient had no additional
complaints that could create issues for me during medication administration.
In addition, I also got to learn about the good practice related to subcutaneous medication
administration while observing the activity of my classmate. I saw my colleague selecting the
right location and considering injection site rotation too as the patient has got many such
subcutaneous injections before. I identified the good practice for selecting appropriate location
and patient preference as useful as subcutaneous injections are given in arms, thighs and
abdomens and the patient preference and review of last injective given helps to decide the best
site (Jin et al., 2015). However, the second nursing student made mistakes during intramuscular
administration as she was supposed to palpate the site and provide injection using 90 degree
angle. However, she was nervous and injected the drug from a wrong angle leading to pain and
discomfort for the patient (Souza et al., 2018).
Analysis:
My own activity of administering oral medication gave me the learning regarding the
importance of following the five rights of medication administration. However, witnessing the
poor practice of my classmate who provided intramuscular injection from a wrong angle, I have
realized that there are many elements to be considered while administering intramuscular drugs.
Hence, I aim to learn about prescription, dispensing, distribution and administration of the drug.
Alternative action: