Med Surg 7 - 2/6/15

Report

1. This week my responsibilities included giving water, giving a bath and taking vital signs.
2. A new skill I learned this week was how nurses give bed baths. They take wipes and wipe down the patients.
3. The best thing that happened this week was being able to take vital signs and practicing the things we have learned in class.
4. I would say the worst thing that happened was giving an old lady a bed bath. She seemed to have slight confusion and was not very happy.

This week was: Good

I was able to observe more than I have in any other unit. I performed more hands-on tasks, and it was a lot of fun.

Record

Technology Observed: 

In Med Surg, I only observed basic technology. I was able to use the vital signs machine, and the ice/water machine. However, I also learned how to input some information into the computer as well.

Diagnostic Procedures Observed:

There were not any diagnostic procedures that I observed. Mainly the MSU is where patients come to recover. Therefore, it is mostly therapeutic procedures.

Therapeutic Procedures Observed:

In the MSU I observed several therapeutic procedures. I helped turn a patient because she had a wound on her back, and I also helped give the patients water. 

Diseases/Disorders:

I did not really see any diseases or disorders. However, there was an older lady who had a wound on her back. 

Journal

  Walking into the MSU was very quiet and calm. There were only three nurses walking around, and I was told that each nurse had 10 patients. I provided the patients with some ice water, and checked vital signs for some. Therefore, I utilized the vital signs machine, and I was also able to use the computer to input data.

  I observed the nurse take vital signs, and use PPE. The health care professionals worked very fast and moved in and out of rooms quickly. The only time I saw them work together was when one nurse did not know where something was, so a nurse instructed her. The safety procedures that I observed were standard precautions. The nurses used gloves and masks. The therapeutic and diagnostic procedures were mainly just making sure the patient was comfortable. We did give a woman a bath, and we also made sure patients had enough blankets. 

  Going into the MSU I only had basic knowledge about it. I knew the nurses took care of patients who have had surgery. I learned that one nurse sees many patients, and has to work very fast to get everything done. I learned how to use the vital signs machine, and I learned how to chart certain information. 

  The MSU 7th floor is definitely the place where I have learned the most stuff. I really enjoyed the staff there, and the nurse I followed actually explained information to me. I was able to really see how nurses work. I learned that you have to be patient with some of your patients, and really love your job and what you do.