Peer Responses:
Length: A minimum of 180 words per post, not including references
Citations: At least two high-level scholarly reference in APA per post from within the last 5 years
Relate to another journal reading
Early in my nursing career, I cared for an elderly patient, M, who was 75 years old. Patient M had battled with type 2 diabetes for years and had been admitted to the ward to manage his diabetic foot ulcer. When patient M was admitted, he was quite depressed and thought he would not make it because his ulcer was leaking and gangrened. As noted by Polikandrioti et al. (2020), depression is common among this cohort of patients, with the role of the healthcare provider being not only addressing the physical ailment, but also being a source of psychosocial support. During this time, I offered exemplary care to patient M, including support and encouragement. I made sure he took his medication on time and that his ulcer was kept clean and treated. After a few weeks, patient M had improved significantly and was positive that he would continue taking care of himself to manage his wound and blood sugar level. Seeing the hope in the patient helped me realize how much I love working with geriatric patients.
Another memorable experience from my early years as a nurse was caring for a 5-year-old malnourished child. The child was admitted to the pediatric ward with severe acute malnutrition and required emergency care. I was able to start the child on fluids, supplements, and therapeutic feeds. In a few days, the child could retain every feed he took and was already taking supplemental feeds. I worked closely with the dietitian and followed closely with the child’s guardian to ensure that even after the child was discharged, he would continue to gain weight. According to Noble et al. (2018), parental education in cases of pediatric severe malnutrition is a psychosocial intervention component that is key in ensuring the child is able to thrive beyond the post-discharge environment. Watching the child add weight and start thriving renewed my strong belief in the power a nurse has to offer support and intentional care.
A technology platform that I find helpful for managing chronic conditions is the UpToDate website. Accoridng to Bradley-Ridout et al. (2021), the website is a point-of-care information tool that is used by clinicians worldwide to provide information on drugs, guidelines for managing chronic conditions, and patient resources. The website was developed by Wolters Kluwer as an information hub for healthcare professionals. I use the site to help me make clinical decisions using reliable, evidence-based information on the diagnosis, treatment, and implementation of interventions for various chronic conditions. On the site, I have access to several articles and materials that I offer to my patients to inform and educate them. I also have access to current and updated drug information.
To use the website, one should subscribe to a fee that varies by region and the type of subscription they need. One can opt for individual or institutional subscriptions. ‘Up-to-date’ has several pros. One of these is an interface that is exceptionally user-friendly, helping one to navigate and use it smoothly. Furthermore, Up-to-date offers many evidence-based and comprehensive materials that can be used by healthcare professionals and patients. The information provided is accurate, and the website design enhances the speed of access to information (Bradley-Ridout et al., 2021). However, one con is that the site requires a subscription fee that may be high for individuals. It also depends on the internet and, therefore, cannot be used in remote areas where there is no internet access.
References
Bradley-Ridout, G., Nekolaichuk, E., Jamieson, T., Jones, C., Morson, N., Chuang, R., & Springall, E. (2021). UpToDate versus DynaMed: a cross-sectional study comparing the speed and accuracy of two point-of-care information tools. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 109(3), 382-387. https://doi.org/10.5195%2Fjmla.2021.1176
Noble, C. C., Sturgeon, J. P., Bwakura-Dangarembizi, M., Kelly, P., Amadi, B., & Prendergast, A. J. (2021). Postdischarge interventions for children hospitalized with severe acute malnutrition: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 113(3), 574-585.
Polikandrioti, M., Vasilopoulos, G., Koutelekos, I., Panoutsopoulos, G., Gerogianni, G., Alikari, V., … & Zartaloudi, A. (2020). Depression in diabetic foot ulcer: Associated factors and the impact of perceived social support and anxiety on depression. International Wound Journal, 17(4), 900-909. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13348Early in my nursing career, I cared for an elderly patient, M, who was 75 years old. Patient M had battled with type 2 diabetes for years and had been admitted to the ward to manage his diabetic foot ulcer. When patient M was admitted, he was quite depressed and thought he would not make it because his ulcer was leaking and gangrened. As noted by Polikandrioti et al. (2020), depression is common among this cohort of patients, with the role of the healthcare provider being not only addressing the physical ailment, but also being a source of psychosocial support. During this time, I offered exemplary care to patient M, including support and encouragement. I made sure he took his medication on time and that his ulcer was kept clean and treated. After a few weeks, patient M had improved significantly and was positive that he would continue taking care of himself to manage his wound and blood sugar level. Seeing the hope in the patient helped me realize how much I love working with geriatric patients.
Another memorable experience from my early years as a nurse was caring for a 5-year-old malnourished child. The child was admitted to the pediatric ward with severe acute malnutrition and required emergency care. I was able to start the child on fluids, supplements, and therapeutic feeds. In a few days, the child could retain every feed he took and was already taking supplemental feeds. I worked closely with the dietitian and followed closely with the child’s guardian to ensure that even after the child was discharged, he would continue to gain weight. According to Noble et al. (2018), parental education in cases of pediatric severe malnutrition is a psychosocial intervention component that is key in ensuring the child is able to thrive beyond the post-discharge environment. Watching the child add weight and start thriving renewed my strong belief in the power a nurse has to offer support and intentional care.
A technology platform that I find helpful for managing chronic conditions is the UpToDate website. Accoridng to Bradley-Ridout et al. (2021), the website is a point-of-care information tool that is used by clinicians worldwide to provide information on drugs, guidelines for managing chronic conditions, and patient resources. The website was developed by Wolters Kluwer as an information hub for healthcare professionals. I use the site to help me make clinical decisions using reliable, evidence-based information on the diagnosis, treatment, and implementation of interventions for various chronic conditions. On the site, I have access to several articles and materials that I offer to my patients to inform and educate them. I also have access to current and updated drug information.
To use the website, one should subscribe to a fee that varies by region and the type of subscription they need. One can opt for individual or institutional subscriptions. ‘Up-to-date’ has several pros. One of these is an interface that is exceptionally user-friendly, helping one to navigate and use it smoothly. Furthermore, Up-to-date offers many evidence-based and comprehensive materials that can be used by healthcare professionals and patients. The information provided is accurate, and the website design enhances the speed of access to information (Bradley-Ridout et al., 2021). However, one con is that the site requires a subscription fee that may be high for individuals. It also depends on the internet and, therefore, cannot be used in remote areas where there is no internet access.
References
Bradley-Ridout, G., Nekolaichuk, E., Jamieson, T., Jones, C., Morson, N., Chuang, R., & Springall, E. (2021). UpToDate versus DynaMed: a cross-sectional study comparing the speed and accuracy of two point-of-care information tools. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 109(3), 382-387. https://doi.org/10.5195%2Fjmla.2021.1176
Noble, C. C., Sturgeon, J. P., Bwakura-Dangarembizi, M., Kelly, P., Amadi, B., & Prendergast, A. J. (2021). Postdischarge interventions for children hospitalized with severe acute malnutrition: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 113(3), 574-585.
Polikandrioti, M., Vasilopoulos, G., Koutelekos, I., Panoutsopoulos, G., Gerogianni, G., Alikari, V., … & Zartaloudi, A. (2020). Depression in diabetic foot ulcer: Associated factors and the impact of perceived social support and anxiety on depression. International Wound Journal, 17(4), 900-909. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13348
Requirements: 180