Reflective Essay on Wound Dressing and Clinical Practice in NRSG140

This reflective paper details a student's experience with wound dressing, focusing on a case involving a 23-year-old patient, Ashley Thompson, readmitted for wound assessment and management. The student applies the Gibb's Reflection Cycle to describe the events, express feelings of confidence shaken by patient feedback, evaluate the wound dressing process considering factors like diabetes and pain management, and analyze the importance of aseptic techniques and moist wound healing. The paper emphasizes the role of a registered nurse's guidance, the significance of patient comfort and education, and the student's action plan for future practice. The reflection incorporates relevant literature to support the analysis and demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and improved patient care within a healthcare setting.

Running Head: WOUND DRESSING 1
Wound dressing
Name
Institution

WOUND DRESSING 2
Wound dressing
Description.
In this reflective paper, I will discuss about Ashley Thompson a 23 years old man who
was readmitted for wound assessment, management and health education. In this case, I will
apply my learning skills to describe what happened, express my feelings, evaluate and analyze
the event. Finally, I will conclude with an action plan explaining how differently I would do the
same process in the future.
Ashley was readmitted with surgical wounds where I was supposed to assist is assessing
and managing them. His wounds took long to cure because he had diabetes type 1 which affects
wound healing. Ashley had a continuous pain and the wounds were leaking some fluids. I was
therefore supposed to apply necessary procedures to help in reducing the pain and stop the fluids
from coming out. I was also supposed to ensure the type of dressing I choose does not expose
him to hospital infections. Since I was a practicing student in that health facility, I was
accompanied by a registered nurse who assisted me in the wound assessment and management.
Before I started redressing the wounds, the registered nurse told me that there are things I
should put into considerations. One of them is identifying the type of wounds Ashley has which
will help me in choosing the kind of dressing he deserves. Secondly, she to me I should look at
other risks which are making those wounds from healing. If it’s the type of medication
previously given, then I should consider changing it. Keeping all this information in mind during
wound dressing will assist be in giving the optimum care.
When I started dressing him, he requested that I do the other procedures and let the
registered nurse do the final layer. When she was doing it, I realized that there are some positions

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in which one should place the affected parts to reduce pain and discomfort. I documented
everything and we advised him on the kind of nutrition he should be taking.
Feelings
I felt like my confidence has been shaken when Ashley told me not to do the final layer.
He had not said that during my previous visit and also added that I should not tie the legs too
tight he is feeling uncomfortable. I ensured him that I will make them nicely and they won’t be
too tight and fell down like last time. We then finished the dressing and left the facility. I
explained to the registered nurse the questions the lady asked me and how they have affected my
emotions. She motivated and told me not to worry that how she behaves towards new nurses.
Evaluation
Chronic wounds takes a lot of time to heal and they reoccur from time to time while
increasing pain and severity on the patient (Marissa, 2014). Dressing therefore plays a vital role
in reduction of pain therefore nurses should be careful during the process to avoid causing
discomfort and more pain to the patients. For a wound to heal, there should be good
management of it (Chelle, 2018). Nurses should use assessment tool, document the type of
dressing to ensure the records are up to date for correct procedures and medication to be
followed. When recording, nurses should include location of the wound, cause, size and level of
pain the patient is experiencing (Barbara, 2014). This will help nurses in choosing the
appropriate method of dressing and achieve optimum healing.
Analysis
The best wound dressing that can help in reducing pain and prevent from further
breakdown is the moist wound healing dressing (Leona, 2015). It prevents the wound from

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excess exudates and minimizes chances of getting infections. Putting a clean bandage on
patient’s wounds helps in preventing further infections. It also makes the dressing to hold large
amount of fluids and prevent leakage of exudates on the skin (Sarath, 2015). Performing aseptic
wound dressing helps in reducing pain hence causing less discomfort to the patient (Anthony,
2016).
Conclusion
Wound dressing is a difficult process therefore nurses should be careful to give correct
care to the patient. They should also assess the wound regularly to see if the dressing selected is
helping in wound healing or not. Finally, they should at best of their learning level familiarize
themselves with the new products used in wound dressing.
Action plan
Working with the registered nurse has helped me in improving my learning skills on
wound dressing. Even when I meet patients who doubt my services am confident enough that I
will challenge them by giving optimum care that they deserve.

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References
Anthony, C.P. (2016). After war: Healing the Moral Wounds of Our Soldiers. Parameters, 46(1),
80-160
Barbara, M. (2014). Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African Americans in Civil War
Medicine Exhibit. Nursing History Review, 100-200
Chelle, S. (2018). Resurrecting Wounds: Living in the Afterlife of Trauma. Anglican
Theological Review, 100(3, 50-150
Leona, T. (2015). Christa Schonfelder. Wounds and Words: Childhood and Family Trauma in
Romantic and Postmodern Fiction. Style, 49(2), 60-130
Marissa, J.C. (2014). Economic Evaluations of Guideline-Based or Strategic Interventions for
the Prevention or Treatment of Chronic Wounds. Applied Health Economics and Health
Policy, 12(4), 200-300
Sarath, C. (2015). Dhammika Herath and K. T. Silva, Eds.: Healing the Wounds: Rebuilding Sri
Lanka after the War. Canadian Ethnic Studies Journal, 47(2), 90-120