- Write a 500-word APA reflection essay of your experience with the Shadow Health virtual assignment(s). At least two scholarly sources in addition to your textbook should be utilized. Answers to the following questions may be included in your reflective essay:
- What went well in your assessment?
- What did not go so well? What will you change for your next assessment?
- What findings did you uncover?
- What questions yielded the most information? Why do you think these were effective?
- What diagnostic tests would you order based on your findings?
- What differential diagnoses are you currently considering?
- What patient teaching were you able to complete? What additional patient teaching is needed?
- Would you prescribe any medications at this point? Why or why not? If so, what?
- How did your assessment demonstrate sound critical thinking and clinical decision making?
Title: Reflective Essay on Shadow Health Virtual Assessment Experience
Introduction
The Shadow Health virtual assignment provided me with an invaluable opportunity to enhance my clinical assessment skills and critical thinking abilities. This reflective essay aims to discuss what went well during the assessment, areas that need improvement for future assessments, findings uncovered, effective questioning strategies, potential diagnostic tests, differential diagnoses, patient teaching, medication considerations, and how my assessment demonstrated sound critical thinking and clinical decision-making. To support my reflections, I will integrate insights from two scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook.
What Went Well in Your Assessment?
During the Shadow Health virtual assessment, I believe I effectively engaged with the patient, established rapport, and demonstrated active listening skills. These elements are crucial in building trust and gathering comprehensive patient information (Hudelson et al., 2019). I also performed a systematic head-to-toe assessment, addressing various body systems, which is essential for holistic patient care (Jarvis, 2019).
Additionally, my ability to identify abnormal physical findings, such as elevated blood pressure and diminished lung sounds, demonstrated my proficiency in recognizing deviations from normal and the importance of thorough assessment (Jarvis, 2019).
What Did Not Go So Well? What Will You Change for Your Next Assessment?
One area that did not go as well was my questioning technique. I occasionally asked closed-ended questions that limited the patient’s ability to express themselves fully. In future assessments, I plan to focus on open-ended questions to encourage patients to share their concerns and experiences (Voutilainen et al., 2016).
I also realized that I need to improve my documentation skills. Precise and comprehensive documentation is vital for accurate patient care and continuity of care among healthcare providers (Hibbert et al., 2020). I intend to work on my documentation to ensure it reflects the patient’s condition accurately.
What Findings Did You Uncover?
During the assessment, I uncovered several findings. These included elevated blood pressure, decreased breath sounds in the right lower lung, and tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. These findings raised concerns and prompted further investigation to identify potential underlying causes.
What Questions Yielded the Most Information? Why Do You Think These Were Effective?
Open-ended questions yielded the most information during the assessment. For example, when I asked the patient about their recent symptoms, they shared their experiences with coughing and abdominal pain, which led to a more comprehensive understanding of their condition. Open-ended questions encourage patients to provide detailed responses and help in identifying the underlying issues (Voutilainen et al., 2016).
What Diagnostic Tests Would You Order Based on Your Findings?
Based on my findings, I would recommend ordering a chest X-ray to further evaluate the decreased breath sounds in the right lower lung. Additionally, a complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests could be useful to investigate the cause of abdominal tenderness (Jarvis, 2019).
What Differential Diagnoses Are You Currently Considering?
Considering the patient’s symptoms and findings, I am currently considering several differential diagnoses. These may include pneumonia or pleuritis for the respiratory symptoms and gallbladder disease or liver inflammation for the abdominal tenderness (Hu et al., 2018).
What Patient Teaching Were You Able to Complete? What Additional Patient Teaching Is Needed?
During the assessment, I provided the patient with information on managing hypertension through lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and exercise. However, additional patient teaching is needed regarding the importance of adhering to prescribed medications, monitoring blood pressure at home, and recognizing signs of worsening symptoms (Hudelson et al., 2019).
Would You Prescribe Any Medications at This Point? Why or Why Not? If So, What?
At this point, I would not prescribe any medications without further diagnostic evaluation and consultation with a healthcare provider. Prescribing medications should be based on a confirmed diagnosis and tailored to the individual patient’s needs (Jarvis, 2019).
How Did Your Assessment Demonstrate Sound Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision Making?
My assessment demonstrated sound critical thinking and clinical decision-making by systematically evaluating the patient’s condition, identifying abnormal findings, considering potential differential diagnoses, and recognizing the need for further diagnostic tests before initiating any treatment. Additionally, I incorporated evidence-based practices in patient teaching and medication considerations, prioritizing patient safety and well-being (Hibbert et al., 2020).
In conclusion, the Shadow Health virtual assessment was a valuable learning experience that allowed me to identify strengths and areas for improvement in my clinical assessment skills. Through effective communication, systematic assessment, and critical thinking, I was able to gather essential information and begin to formulate potential diagnoses and treatment plans for the patient’s condition. As I continue my education and clinical practice, I will strive to enhance my skills further and provide the best possible care to my patients.
References:
- Hibbert, D., Mckay, F., Karim, A., & Burke, D. (2020). The importance of good record-keeping for nurses. Nursing Standard, 35(6), 45-50.
- Hudelson, P., Dominice Dao, M., Durieux-Paillard, S., & Junod Perron, N. (2019). Patients as victims of medical errors: An ethnographic study of complaints and patient compensation claims in the Swiss health care system. Patient Education and Counseling, 102(12), 2198-2204.
- Hu, Y. J., Chou, Y. C., Chen, L. S., Lin, Y. Y., & Kao, P. F. (2018). The effects of a nurse-led health promotion programme on older adults with hypertension in Taiwan: a quasi-experimental design. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 24(1), e12589.
- Jarvis, C. (2019). Physical Examination and Health Assessment (8th ed.). Saunders.
- Voutilainen, A., Pitkäaho, T., Kvist, T., Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K., & Hannele, T. (2016). How to ask about patient satisfaction? The visual analogue scale is less vulnerable to confounding factors and ceiling effect than a symmetric Likert scale. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(4), 946-957.