Practical Nursing Diploma Program
Pre-Clinical Nursing Care Research Assignment
“Prep and Plan”
The Pre-Clinical “Prep and Plan” must be completed and submitted to your clinical faculty at the beginning of each clinical shift. This information will ensure that you are adequately prepared for your patient assignment.
Medical-Surgical Diagnoses:
Depression – a mood disorder causing a persistent feeling of loss of interest and sadness. It affects a person feelings, way of thinking and behaviour and can consequently leading to various emotional and physical problems. Symptoms can include sleep disturbances, lack of energy, reduced appetite, anxiety, trouble thinking, suicidal thought or attempts and unexplained physical problems like back pain.
Anticipated assessment data for this patient:
- Neurological Assessment 4. Vital Signs
- General appearance 5. Skin assessment
- Hydration/nutrition 6. Social or ADLs
List 2 priority “NANDA” Nursing Diagnoses based on the above assessment data:
- Risk for impaired cardiovascular function as evidenced by unhealthy amount of alcohol consumption and diagnosis of depression.
- Risk for suicidal behaviour as evidenced by social withdrawal, unhealthy amount of alcohol consumption and diagnosis of depression.
Identify specific nursing interventions to support these priority nursing diagnoses: (action plan)
- Monitor suicidal risk 4. Explore lifestyle changes.
- Encourage participation in activities 5. Challenge negative thoughts.
- Contact physician 6. Explore possible coping mechanism.
Based on your prep & plan what will you pay special attention to: (What do you see as the patient’s priority issue?)
Based on my prep & plan I see the risk for impaired cardiovascular function to be the patient’s priority issue. I will monitor blood circulation and suicidal risk by assessing skin condition and vital signs. I will also ensure the physician is contacted to see if any medication is needed to manage patients’ health. Lastly, I will observe the patient’s daily activities and encourage a healthy lifestyle, thoughts, or coping mechanism if necessary.
What teaching do you think your patient will require?
I will provide education to the patient regarding the negative effects of excessive substance use and an unhealthy lifestyle. I will also provide education on how beneficial a lifestyle including things like activities or hobbies, healthy thoughts, and coping mechanism can be.
References:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, October 14). Depression (major depressive disorder). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 4, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
The Royal Children’s hospital melbourne. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. (n.d.). Retrieved March 4, 2023, from https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Nursing_assessment/
