The Skills in Medical-Surgical Step-Down unit Nurse - Assignment Example

While on the 6th floor, the student nurse caring for a trauma patient who had a serious radial vascular injury from hitting a glass window. He came in from the OR after undergoing the procedure--Repair of vascular injury and verve repairment at the right upper extremity. The student nurse noticed at one point that the patient had soaked his dressing. The student nurse called the attention of her preceptor who also checked on the patient. The patient was then brought back to the OR for a repeat of the procedure to repair his vascular injury.

After several hours, he was brought back to the 6th floor and back in the care of the student nurse. While caring for the patient, the student nurse noticed that the patient registered a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. After checking the patient’s chart for medication orders, the student nurse gave him two Tylenol tablets (350 mg x 2). After about 15 minutes, his temperature dropped to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, several hours later, his temperature spiked to 102.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

The student nurse informed her preceptor of the patient’s persistent fever; the preceptor then paged the doctor for advice and was subsequently ordered to administer Motrin 400 mg PRN (as necessary).The student nurse also helped care for a male Hispanic patient who did not speak and understand any English. He was brought in with a stab wound on his forearm. The patient pushed the call button often, and when the student nurse would check on him, he would make stabbing gestures on himself.

The student nurse and her preceptor found a Spanish-speaking doctor and with his help, pertinent details for the patient’s care were established.  The patient said that he had no known allergies to any medications.  The patient communicated that he was stabbed by a co-worker as they were cashing in their paycheck. The patient’s next of kin was also contacted.  Through the Spanish-speaking doctor, it was also established that the patient was illiterate.