Clinical Reflection on COPD: Patient Care and Nursing Practice

This clinical reflection report focuses on a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), detailing the nurse's role in patient care. The report highlights the importance of spirometry in diagnosis and the application of nursing theories to improve patient outcomes. The author emphasizes the significance of effective communication in patient care and describes their experience in observing vital signs and administering treatments. Furthermore, the report underscores the use of evidence-based practice in healthcare, ensuring that patient treatment plans are informed and collaborative. The author's experience aims to enhance their understanding of the disease and improve the quality of nursing care, focusing on the patient's overall well-being and treatment.

Running head: CLINICAL REFLECTION ON COPD 1
Clinical Reflection on COPD
Student’s name
Institutional affiliation

CLINICAL REFLECTION ON COPD 2
Janet is one of the patients that really needed help that afternoon when she checked in the
healthcare facility. Janet had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease- a common lung disease that
would make it hard for her to breath. In other words, she would not breathe properly. Among the
two main forms of the conditions, Janet’s condition involved a long-term cough with mucus. I
contributed by helping set the patient learn the techniques on how to bring up mucus before
major treatment was initiated.
According to Kirby et al., (2016), the COPD is confirmed by a simple test known as spirometry,
which generally establishes how deeply an individual can breathe and the speed at which one can
allow the air to move in and out of the lungs. Only by doing this are you able to diagnose the
condition.
At one point while in my clinical placement, I employed the nursing theory to develop
knowledge that is relevant to improving patient’s care. The theory involves tentative and
rigorous structuring of the ideas to systematically view the patient that had a series of attacks and
seizures especially during the night hours.
One of the clinical skills I can improve on is communications. Riley (2015) notes that
communication is key in prevention administration of services to patents. Communication is part
of the treatment. I would really wish to improve on my communication.
I was proud about how I observed and made conclusions and findings especially through
observation of the physical vital signs. Even though it went to the higher level of diagnosis, the
first instance of observation never disappointed me.
I intend to employ evidence based practice in observing and assessing and administering
treatment to any condition that patient could be having. I realized that it is important to work that

CLINICAL REFLECTION ON COPD 3
way so that the patient and the nurse walk in the same line. In other words, the patient is not left
out in making of the decision concerning his or her treatment plan (which is also done according
to the existing valid information .

CLINICAL REFLECTION ON COPD 4
References
Kirby, M., Tan, W. C., Hague, C., Leipsic, J., Bourbeau, J., Hogg, J. C., & Coxson, H. (2016).
CT Total Airway Count Explains Airflow Limitation In COPD Patients Without
Emphysema. In C48. COPD: IMAGING (pp. A5202-A5202). American Thoracic
Society.
Riley, J. B. (2015). Communication in nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences.