iSAP NUR2226 Comparative Report
Comparison (15 marks) (15 marks)
Find out how your report and the expert’s report are different and how they are the same for each of the learning outcomes listed in the case. Suggestions for possible explanations for these differences and similarities are welcome.
Learning Outcome 1: COPD Pathophysiology Description
Similarities: The etiology of COPD, an irritant, is mentioned in both reports. Irritants can include cigarette smoke or any other irritating chemical. Also, both reports show a complete pathophysiological process that leads to COPD. This process starts with airway inflammation caused by exposure to irritants and ends with the development of crucial COPD symptoms like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
In my report, I said that smoking is the primary irritant that causes COPD, while the expert’s report said all irritants are the same. Also, the expert explains the process of inflammation that happens when an irritant is present. This includes the significant mediators of inflammation, such as cytokines, histamine, and leukotriene. Chronic bronchitis is when a person has mucus, sputum, and a cough that lasts more than two months. On the other hand, my definition of chronic bronchitis doesn’t include important things like time and signs.
Possible reasons for differences and omissions: The expert did not say that smoking is the primary irritant that causes COPD, but I did. One reason for this is that several irritants can cause COPD. Studies show that smoking is the main cause, so I mentioned it as a major irritant. Also, the expert talked about the inflammatory mediators released during the inflammation process. These are important when deciding which medicines to give to COPD patients.
Learning Outcome 2: Nursing Management of the COPD Patient
Similarities:
Both reports describe how to assess ABC and look for signs of respiratory failure. Both reports also emphasize the significance of a MET call. SpO2 monitoring has also been discussed in the two reports. Finally, both reports address patient education, including self-medication and nutritional management.
Differences:
According to the expert’s report, nursing management is focused on preventing hypoxia by administering oxygen. On the other hand, my report talks about sleeping and breathing techniques as ways to force people to breathe to prevent hypoxia. The expert focuses on a focused respiratory assessment, while I focus on doing anything I can to stop COPD from worsening. Lastly, the expert talked about how important it was to deal with anxiety and include the patient’s social worker in the process. In my report, I talked about how important it was to teach the patient about all the roles she needs to play for a successful recovery.
Possible reasons for differences and omissions: The expert stressed the importance of a focused respiratory assessment and oxygen therapy as urgent interventions for patients at risk of hypoxia. The expert also stressed how important it was to deal with the patient’s anxiety, making it hard for them to breathe. Lastly, since the patient cannot remember the instructions, the expert includes the social worker in planning the patient’s care.
Pharmacological Management is the third learning outcome.
Similarities: In both reports, salbutamol was used as a bronchodilator. In both reports, Seretide was used as a maintenance treatment. In both cases, regular medications were administered. Finally, the risks of using salbutamol are discussed.
Differences: The expert’s report emphasizes confirming the correct medication by checking their generic names, whereas my report does not emphasize confirming whether the medications to be administered are correct.
Possible explanations for differences and omissions (if applicable): Confirming generic names allows nurses to avoid giving incorrect medications.
Learning reflection (25 marks)
Show in bullet points how the expert’s answer confirmed or changed what you already knew and understood about the part of practice you looked into (recognizing and treating COPD). State the main idea you will take away from this assignment.
Consolidated:
The expert’s answer to how the nurse should care for the COPD patient included a focused assessment of the patient’s breathing and ways to deal with anxiety, which I did not include in my report. As a result, it broadened my understanding of the evaluation of COPD patients.
Challenged:
My report ignored critical nursing management parameters, such as confirming medications before administration, focused respiratory assessment, and Management. The expert’s report included all of these parameters. As a result, in my future nursing practice, I should keep track of all the critical parameters in patient management.
The main point to remember:
I should perform comprehensive patient assessment and Management, such as a focused respiratory assessment and anxiety management in COPD patients.
Influence on practice (20 marks)
Explain how your new knowledge will affect or improve your future work as a student or professional in the healthcare field. Determine at least one specific strategy you will employ in your future practice.
The expert’s answer gave me information that will help me thoroughly assess patients and decide which patient interventions to do first. When assessing patients, I will use the DRSABC mnemonic, perform a focused respiratory assessment, and manage anxiety in COPD patients.
