201 Simulation Lab Reflective Journal

                                                 Simulation Lab Reflective Journal

1) In simulation lab our group completed several tasks. To start off the simulation we had had to order a patient ID band and add allergies to the patients chart after the patient stated having allergies to Demerol and Sulfa drugs. Admissions sent a wristband with the wrong date of birth and we had to reorder a band with the correct date of birth. We then drew a CBC, ESR, and BMP labs through venipuncture and labeled them and sent them down to the lab. We assessed the patients puncture wound while providing wound care, and then changed the dressing. Prior to doing wound care we administered Tylenol 625 mg oral route for slightly elevated fever of 100.9 Fahrenheit and pain of 4/10.

2) What I learned most about the tasks we completed in simulation lab was the correct way to label labs, cultures, and specimens to be sent off for lab work. When drawing labs you must make sure that each individual tube has a patient label with the following: First initial of first name, last name, title, time drawn, date drawn, site drawn from, and patients name. After labeling each test tube they should be put into a biohazard bag and the bag should have a patient label with the same information as the test tubes. Following these proper labeling techniques will ensure that the labs do not get discarded due to improper labeling. It will also avoid losing rapport with the patient when they think you have no idea how to do your job.

3) During my next simulation experience I will ensure that I know exactly how to perform the procedures listed in the doctors orders. Another area I will focus on for the next simulation is providing more teaching opportunities to the patient when they present themselves.

4) While watching the second group perform their simulation I learned that I should have some interventions prepared to initiate before I arrive to care for the patient. I also learned that I should look into areas that I can provide teaching on for this patient. The last thing that I learned from watching my peers is that a detailed assessment can be very crucial to the patient's outcome of healing.

5) A few things that I learned from the classroom that I incorporated into simulation were that number one you always need to assess the patient thoroughly. You never know what another nurse or doctor could have missed that may be detrimental to the patients health. The second thing I used from the classroom is when assessing a wound, the drainage can be an important sign of how the wound is healing. Our patient had a saturated sanguineous dressing from a puncture wound that had supposedly closed and was not bleeding. The last thing I used from the classroom was that you should always assess for allergies before each time you are administering a medication or performing a procedure. Our patient's chart stated no known allergies and the patient was allergic to Demerol and sulfa antibiotics. You never know when the patient may just suddenly remember an allergy they forgot to tell the admitting nurse.

-By Cody Fowler