The Nursing Process in Patient Care: From Assessment to Recovery for Surgery Patients

Nursing Process Assessment

Nurses use a scientific procedure called the nursing process to ensure patients get quality medical care (Capernito, 2005). The process entails a five-step progression as discussed below.

Assessment

A dynamic and systematic way is used in this phase during the collection of data regarding the patient. The data collected from the patient analyzes the spiritual, psychological, sociological, and physiological position of the patient (Gardner, 2003). The data collection has several steps to be followed. These are interviews, finding out a lot about the history of the patient and the history of the patient’s family, and examination and observation of the patient generally. This helps determine both the manifestation and the physical causes of the patient’s disease. The interaction of the patient with a nurse will assist the nurse know what the patient suffers from. Such manifestations will be portrayed through a lack of eating due to loss of appetite and withdrawal from both the staff and family members (Gardner, 2003).

Diagnosis

The second phase entails an agreement between the patient and a nurse to conduct a clinical judgment on the health condition of the patient. Reflection on the diagnosis of a patient will show all the sufferings a patient goes through. For instance, all causes of pain that arise as a result of pain (Gardner, 2003). Such may include family conflicts, nutrition that is poor and anxiety. Improvements in health and any kind of syndrome development are assessed through diagnosis (Gardner, 2003).

Intervention

It involves implementing a plan in nursing care that will help reduce the effect of the illness the patient has (Capernito, 2005). Intervention may be in the form of medication or treatment, or physical therapy in support of the patient. It is more of counseling to a patient on a short-term basis that will help the patient be in the state he was in before the casualty. Nurses perform intervention treatment to help patients reach the medical set goals that would aid in their quick recovery. It is for a nurse to have the knowledge of the procedure that is best for the patient to recover. A nurse educates a patient on the importance and side effects of not taking the medication. Nursing intervention is classified into three categories: dependence, interdependence, and independence (Gardner, 2003).

Planning

A plan of action is developed once the patient and the nurse reach an agreement when the diagnosis process is complete (Capernito, 2005). Achievable and measurable long-term and short-term objectives are set by the nurse. The patient moves from always sleeping on a bed to sitting in a chair and also having a walk. He might start eating more frequently than before. Classification of Nursing Outcome is always used in this phase by nurses to assess the progress of the patient. Terms that are standardized and a set of measurements are relied on to check on the patient’s health progress (Gardner, 2003).

Outcome

The result phase is all about the effects of the nursing process. The patient’s health status is evaluated as per the indications of the day-by-day progress. Outcomes for a patient are always documented so as to follow a patient in some stipulated period of time. It is always based on the intervention of the nursing process and developed to be used in any kind of environment setting. Basically, the patient’s health status is described in the outcome process. Moreover, their usefulness is relevant in other disciplines during the evaluation process (Capernito, 2005).

Allie’s Pre-Surgery Preparation

The nurse must ensure that Allie understands the importance and the process of operation as it is key to the role of nursing. This will help Allie get prepared both psychologically and to assist in reducing anxiety as he gets ready for the surgery process (Capernito, 2005). A band for identity will be placed on Allie’s arm with information printed on it as per the requirement by the National Patient safety Agency. All the assessments pertaining to risk are indicated as required by the local policy. The nurse will record Allie’s health status, such as blood pressure, content of the glucose in the blood, and respiration, among others. A definitive observation unit is where patients are moved to from care (Capernito, 2005). It entails highly trained nurses and medical staff with medical facilities to provide intensive care to patients who are extremely sick.

The nurse would console Allie and her parent by offering counseling to them to minimize the anxiety and give them some hope. He will also tell them after surgery the effects and duration expected for recovery (Gardner, 2003). The nurse will use his knowledge and thinking ability to assess Allie’s recovery process. Both oral and physical therapy will be given to the patient to help her recover quickly. Allie should be told the importance and side effects of medication and how long she will be under medication. Her parents are the best advisors to be by her side during this difficult time (Gardner, 2003).

To prevent boredom, once Allie is on the right track to recovery, lots of bed rest will be useless. As a matter of fact, lots of physical therapies will help her health status improve. Walking around and stories of encouragement will be vital to her recovery (Capernito, 2005). The nurse taking Allie’s photos during her admission and after she is discharged would encourage Allie and her parents. Gifts to early and always checking on her progress will have a positive recovery impact on Allie’s family.

References

Carpenito-Moyet, . (n.d.). The nursing process was made easy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005.

Gardner, P. (2003). Nursing process in action. Australia: Thomson, Delmar Learning

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