Treatment of a patient with dog-bite wounds - Research Paper Example

Reflective Essay on Consultation Relating to a 30-Year old Patient with A Dog-Bite Contents Introduction 3 of Event 3 Feelings 3 Evaluation 4 Analysis 4 Action Plan 6 Conclusion 7 Bibliography 8 Introduction Dog-bites are serious and can always open up room for various kinds of infections that could be carried by the dog or through other secondary contacts with bacteria and other micro-organisms (Thomas & Brook, 2011). This paper is a reflective essay that presents the essential and important aspects of the examination of core elements of the treatment of a patient with dog-bite wounds. To this end, the paper presents the facts of a given medical case involving a patient and this is critiqued and analysed with various theoretical frameworks in order to provide information about how the patient’s case was dealt with from a professional perspective. Description of Event The case at hand involves a 30 year old lady who was bitten by a dog in her right forearm. The bite caused sustained puncture wound on her forearm. The initial treatment plan involved the presentation of the patient to the minor injury unit. After three days in the minor injury unit, the patient got some complications in the form of a swelling around the wound with redness and pain. The swelling was hot to touch but the patient had no fever and her observation showed she had a fairly stable condition. The patient’s tetanus vaccination status was up to date. Feelings The case involving the patient can be examined through the Gibbs’ model of reflection. The Gibbs model of reflection is a method of creating reflective learning system whereby people can analyse and review issues in order to acquire new knowledge (Raynor, Marshall, & Suillivan, 2012; Moon, 2012). Upon seeing the patent, the first indication was to treat her with flucloxacillin. However, flucloxacillin. However, I just realized that most dog and cat bites contain pasteurella multocida which is ten times more likely to cause infections after an animal bite and in many cases this is resistant to flucloxacillin (Morgan & Palmer, 2007). Hence, flucolcaxicillin is to be used with other medication and this was going to cause more complications for the patient. Hence, there was the need to select a more specialized medication. There was the need for a medication that will help the patient to deal with any growing threat of infection that could result from the dog bite. This is because allied complications like tetanus and other possibilities were effectively eliminated. Wound management was perfect and hence, the risk of a transmission of bacteria from the dog was what was unknown and needed to be prevented. Evaluation In this case, the patient is a 30 year old lady. In this situation the patient is to be viewed as an adult and a female. And hence, her condition and situation was to be considered in-depth. As a matured patient, she was expected to be capable of signing her contracts and also dealing with various complications. However, further details like her work commitments and family commitments were necessary to arrive at the right and most appropriate approach and method of dealing with the situation. With the information available, it was apparent that she qualified for adult medication and other social considerations like going home and going to work among other things were to be considered. Analysis The Gibbs model causes you to look at the facts and bring all together in order to come up with a view of how to deal with the situation in a positive manner that completes all the issues and problems (Stephens, 2011). From the facts of the case, the patient had already been in the minor injury unit for the past 3 days. Hence, there was the need for some kind of diagnosis of the extent of her injury and her challenges. The main strategy had to be one that would deal with complications and matters that might have developed over the past days in order to prevent them from causing issues for the client. However, the fundamental fear was the possibility of some bacteria entering her body. This is because the dog-bite was expected to be one that contained some kind of complication and micro-organisms that could be destructive. Hence the patient was to be treated on the basis of that. Thus, there was the need for the control of the antibiotics that will be used in dealing with the case and the situation to prevent further complications like rabies and other challenges that could come up. Hence, the right strategy was to one that will diagnose the extent of the injury and the medication and inducements to prevent further complications. The diagnosis was then done in such a way and manner that the features of the patient, being a 30 year old woman with the possibility of being pregnant and also having the tendency of having other responsibilities will fit into the situation. Hence, there was the need for some detailed tests to be done on the patient. As identified, the tetanus vaccination had already been done and the patient has no risk of tetanus. Hence, there is no need to choose products to cover tetanol toxoid and similar matters. However, concerning the dogbite with surrounding cellulitis, there was the need for an antibiotic of the right nature and dosage for the patient. Flucolcaxicillin was discounted due to its failure to deal with bacteria in dog-bites since most of these bacteria were resistant to the drug. Thus, the best solution was to go for antibiotics, co-amoxiclav might be the best option to act as an antibiotic for the patient. Co-amoxiclav is a product for bacterial infections and this is for various infections including respiratory infections as well as other elements that affect the bones and mouths of patients (Struthers & Westran, 2012). The product involves amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin controls bacteria but some bacteria are such that they can evade amoxicillin but the second component, clavulanic acid keeps bacteria from producing and any issues and problems that came with the dog-bite and other bacteria could be dealt with and controlled (Wright & Goodey, 2010). However, Co-amoxiclav has issues with persons who are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Also, there are complications that could occur in cases of glandular fever, kidney and liver problems as well as other allergies. Hence, the patient was interviewed and her medical history was checked and analysed in order to find any risks and issues. It was identified that she was not pregnant. Neither was she breastfeeding. The evidence of all hypersensitivities were not identified in the patient. Therefore it was declared safe to administer co-amoxiclav. Action Plan The detailed dosage and the detailed elements of the administration of the Co-Amoxiclav medication were outlined. The number of days the patient will be in the hospital was outlined. This was followed by outlining the limitations and challenges that were be placed on her. These were summarized into a treatment plan that was discussed with the patient in a language she understands. When the detailed information was presented to the patient, the patient was given the chance to come up with her views and opinions about any reservations. And this included criticisms and provisions of limitations that related to the treatment. From there, the contract and detailed plan was presented to the patient who signed it and gave her consent for the treatment to be administered. The detailed treatment plan and the signed treatment contract were filed. In the hospital, copies are also scanned electronically and kept in an electronic format and also in fire-proof cabinets. This are kept in order to deal with future issues and matters including legal and other future treatment sessions. In the process of the treatment, the patient was monitored closely and issues that come up were dealt with and analysed. The nurses and doctors were ready to take up any remedial action that was necessary. However, nothing happened in the treatment process. The patient was able to recover appropriately and she got back to her normal life. Conclusion Reflection is seen as important because it enables nurses and medical practitioners to learn technical issues and matters and also improve upon their individual competency in the medical profession (Butler, 2011; Peate, 2011). This reflective work has given me the ability to recount how I applied various practical skills to a real case and situation in order to assist in resolving it. It involves how common sense and other information sourcing processes can be used to get important feedback that can make a difference in a patient’s condition. Word Count: 1,403 Bibliography Beckwith, S., & Franklin, P. (2011). Oxford Handbook of Prescription for Nurses and Allied Health Practitioners. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Butler, T. J. (2011). Consumer Health: Making Informed Decisions. New York: Jones and Bartlett. Courtenay, M., & Griffiths, M. (2010). Independent and Supplementary Prescribing: An Essential Guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Crouch, S., Chapelhow, C., & Crouch, M. (2014). Medicines Management: A Nursing Perspective. London: Routledge. Dogra, N., & Leighton, S. (2009). Nursing in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. London: McGraw-Hill. Ferguson, E., Linkov, I., & Magar, V. (2008). Real-Time and Deliberative Decision-Making: Application to Emerging Stressors. London: Springer. Hey, E. (2012). 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