Critical Thinking Practices for Developing a Patient Care Plan

Student Learning Outcome Four

Integrate current evidence-based practices and critical thinking techniques to develop the patient’s plan of care (Ivy Tech Community College, 2019-20).

Rationale

Registered nurses use a lot of critical thinking techniques in order to provide evidenced based care to their patients. They also use critical thinking to join objective data from assessments and subjective data from the patient. Nurses use critical thinking in all parts of the nursing process. Nurses use theoretical and evidence-based knowledge of human experiences and responses to collaborate with healthcare consumers to assess, diagnose, identify outcomes, plan, implement, and evaluate care (ANA, 2015). When nurses use evidence-based practice and critical thinking techniques in their nursing, they are better prepared to provide quality care to all their patients.

Reflection

Throughout my clinical experiences I have had many different times where I have used critical thinking. I did a care plan on a patient that was taking a medication to control their heart rate due to atrial fibrillation. This medication is contraindicated if the patient has a heart rate or blood pressure below a certain value. I took the patient’s vitals before administering the medication and the pressure was below the normal range. There was no order in the chart if it was below a certain number to hold it, so I found the patient’s nurse and told her that I didn’t think we should administer the medication and risk bottoming out the patient’s pressure. Therefore, I am now confident that I will use evidence-based practices and critical thinking skills to develop my patient’s plan of care (Ivy Tech Community College, 2019-20).

Student Learning Outcome Five

Utilize communication practices that foster effective collaboration with patients, families and the inter-professional team for planning and delivery of quality patient care (Ivy Tech Community College, 2019-20).

Rationale

Effective communication between nurses and patients is imperative when providing individualized nursing care of patients. In order for this to happen, nurses must successfully understand and support their patients while demonstrating courtesy, kindness and sincerity. Communication is a crucial element in many areas of nursing practice. Effective communication and collaboration with your healthcare team is also important. Communication as a whole, is important because allows for productivity and allows for growth. Nurses need to understand what the patient need and expects, and what their families expect. Nurses need to be able to communicate with other providers in order to provide the best care. The communication between health professionals and patients include the ability to express sincere concern for the care of the patient. Good communication can guarantee the patient is being provided with quality care (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). The registered nurse should communicate effectively with everyone they encounter in the healthcare system, which includes providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and other nurses. This will eliminate risks associated with transitions in the delivery of care and they should contribute their professional perspective in discussions with each other (ANA, 2015).

Reflection

During all my clinicals in hospital, I effectively communicated and collaborated with patients, family members, and the inter-professional teams that I encountered to deliver excellent patient care. When I was in clinical for Medical Surgical 3, I was able to communicate effectively with my patients to make sure their needs were taken care of and that they understood their plan of care. I always made sure to clarify and explain every nursing task as I was doing it, and I made sure to go over every medication I was giving. Another example of communication is when the physician came in the room to round on the patient and the patient did not understand some of what the physician had said. After the physician left the patients room, the registered nurse and I were able to talk with the patient and family member to clarify anything they didn’t understand. Therefore, I am confident that I utilized communication practices that foster effective collaboration with patients and the interprofessional team for planning and delivery of quality patient care (Ivy Tech Community College, 2019-20).

Student Learning Outcome Six

Promote a culture of caring and advocacy that demonstrates respect for individual patient preferences, values, needs and the diversity of the human experience (Ivy Tech Community College, 2019-20).

Rationale

Cultural competence is defined as “developing an awareness of one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, and environment without letting it have an undue influence on those from other backgrounds; demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the patient’s culture; accepting and respecting cultural differences; adapting care to be congruent with the patient’s culture” (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, p.467). When providing culturally competent care you should consider your own cultural biases and how these thoughts could affect the care that you ultimately provide. In addition, nurses also need to be sensitive when providing culturally competent care, and they should use each encounter to help grow their understanding of different cultures.

Reflection

During my clinical experiences, I have dealt with patients from different cultures. I have dealt with Burmese, Mexican, Amish, and Jewish patients plus more.  I took care of a Burmese patient during clinical and I had already completed my culture paper on Burmese culture. I felt like that helped me to provide better care to that patient during clinical because I understood the patient’s view on medical care. I think that being aware of different cultures will help me to provide culturally sensitive and competent care to all the patients I will take care of. Therefore, I am confident that I will be able to promote care and advocacy that demonstrates respect for individual patient preferences, values, needs and the diversity of the human experience (Ivy Tech Community College, 2019-20).

References

• American Nurses Association (ANA). (2015). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice.
• Ivy Tech Community College. (2017-2018). Student Handbook. Indianapolis, IN.
• Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in Nursing Practice. Communication in Nursing Practice, 26(1). doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.65-67
• Zerwekh, J. & Garneau, A. (2015). Nursing today: Transitions and trends (8^th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.