The Clinical Reasoning Cycle is a systematic process used by healthcare professionals to plan and evaluate person-centred care. It provides a framework for systematic problem-solving and decision-making in nursing practice. In this assignment, we will use the Clinical Reasoning Cycle to analyze a case scenario and discuss how data was collected, identify nursing issues, state objectives, discuss nursing interventions, and evaluate the interventions carried out.
The first step in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle is to collect relevant patient data. In this case scenario, the data collected includes the patient’s postoperative pain level, which is rated at 7 out of 10. This is indicative of significant pain that needs to be addressed. Additionally, the patient is showing signs of infection, such as a postoperative wound temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius and a drop in blood pressure. These findings suggest the presence of septicemia, which is a serious complication requiring immediate attention.
The next step in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle is to analyze and identify nursing issues or problems. Based on the data collected, three nursing priorities can be identified. The first priority is pain management. The patient’s pain level of 7 out of 10 indicates inadequate pain control and the need for appropriate interventions to alleviate the patient’s discomfort. The second priority is infection control. The presence of a high wound temperature and a drop in blood pressure suggests the development of septicemia, which requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications. The third priority is the monitoring and maintenance of vital signs, as the drop in blood pressure indicates a potential deterioration in the patient’s condition.
Once the nursing issues have been identified, the third step in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle is to set objectives. For pain management, the objective is to reduce the patient’s pain level to a tolerable level, such as a rating of 3 out of 10 or less, within the next hour. For infection control, the objective is to initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy within the next 30 minutes to treat the septicemia. For vital sign monitoring and maintenance, the objective is to stabilize the patient’s blood pressure within the next 15 minutes and continue to monitor vital signs regularly to detect any further changes in the patient’s condition.
The fourth step in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle is to plan and implement nursing interventions to address the identified nursing issues and achieve the stated objectives. For pain management, interventions may include administering analgesic medications as prescribed, providing non-pharmacological pain relief measures such as heat or cold therapy, and ensuring a comfortable environment for the patient. For infection control, interventions may include obtaining blood cultures for diagnostic purposes, administering broad-spectrum antibiotics as prescribed, and closely monitoring the patient’s vital signs for any signs of deterioration. For vital sign monitoring and maintenance, interventions may involve closely monitoring the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation levels, providing interventions to stabilize blood pressure, such as intravenous fluids or vasopressor medications, and ensuring the patient’s overall well-being.
The final step in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle is to evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing interventions carried out. This involves monitoring the patient’s response to the interventions, reassessing the patient’s pain level, wound temperature, and blood pressure, and determining if the stated objectives have been met. If the objectives have been achieved, the interventions can be considered effective. If the objectives have not been met, it may be necessary to reassess the nursing interventions and make adjustments as needed.
In conclusion, the Clinical Reasoning Cycle is a valuable framework for planning and evaluating person-centred care in nursing practice. By systematically collecting data, identifying nursing issues, setting objectives, planning and implementing nursing interventions, and evaluating their effectiveness, healthcare professionals can ensure that appropriate and individualized care is provided to patients. In the case scenario discussed, the nursing priorities identified were pain management, infection control, and vital sign monitoring and maintenance. By addressing these priorities and implementing appropriate interventions, the healthcare team can provide optimal care to the patient.
