Complete The Shadowhealth Musculoskeletal And Neurological A

Complete The Shadowhealth Musculoskeletal And Neurological Assignment

Complete the ShadowHealth© Musculoskeletal and Neurological assignments Professional Development Write a 500-word APA reflection essay of your experience with the Shadow Health virtual assignment(s). At least two scholarly sources in addition to your textbook should be utilized. Answers to the following questions may be included in your reflective essay: What went well in your assessment? What did not go so well? What will you change for your next assessment? What findings did you uncover? What questions yielded the most information? Why do you think these were effective? What diagnostic tests would you order based on your findings? What differential diagnoses are you currently considering? What patient teaching were you able to complete? What additional patient teaching is needed? Would you prescribe any medications at this point? Why or why not? If so, what? How did your assessment demonstrate sound critical thinking and clinical decision making?

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of virtual simulation into nursing education has become increasingly vital, especially for assessing clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. The ShadowHealth Musculoskeletal and Neurological virtual assignments provided an immersive environment to practice comprehensive assessments and develop critical thinking skills within a simulated clinical setting. Reflecting on this experience highlights not only areas of strength but also opportunities for growth and refinement in future assessments.

One of the aspects that went well was my ability to effectively communicate with the virtual patient, building rapport and eliciting pertinent history. I ensured that my questions were open-ended initially, allowing the patient to share detailed information, which facilitated a more thorough assessment. Additionally, I was able to identify key physical findings consistent with musculoskeletal and neurological concerns, such as muscle weakness, decreased reflexes, or abnormalities in gait. These skills demonstrated my ability to apply knowledge in a simulated environment, reflecting core clinical competencies.

However, challenges arose during the assessment, particularly in managing time effectively and ensuring that I covered all necessary components within the allotted period. I sometimes overlooked or hurried through certain examinations, which could diminish the accuracy of my assessment. Moving forward, I plan to develop a more structured approach, perhaps using checklists or mnemonics, to ensure comprehensive evaluation within time constraints. Another area for improvement involves interpreting subtle signs that may suggest neurological deficits; recognizing these requires heightened observation and clinical reasoning, which I aim to enhance through continued practice.

The findings uncovered during the assessment included decreased muscle strength in the lower extremities, decreased reflexes, and altered gait pattern, which raised suspicion of neurological involvement. The questions that yielded the most information were those regarding recent trauma, onset of symptoms, and functional limitations, as they provided insight into potential causes of the deficits. These were effective because they directed the focus toward possible nerve root compression or peripheral nerve injuries, guiding further diagnostic considerations.

Based on these findings, I would order diagnostic tests such as MRI of the spine to visualize potential structural abnormalities and nerve conduction studies to evaluate peripheral nerve function. Differential diagnoses currently under consideration include lumbar radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, or multiple sclerosis, depending on the progression and associated findings.

Patient education was an integral part of the assessment process; I discussed the importance of reporting new or worsening symptoms and maintaining proper body mechanics. Additional education needs involve lifestyle modifications, activity adjustments, and reinforcing medication adherence if prescribed. At this point, I would not prescribe medications immediately but would consider NSAIDs for pain management after a thorough clinical evaluation, evaluating risks versus benefits.

My assessment demonstrated sound critical thinking by systematically integrating patient history, physical findings, and differential diagnosis formulation. I employed clinical reasoning to prioritize diagnostic testing and formulate a patient-centered management plan, recognizing the importance of ongoing assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration. This virtual experience enhances my capacity to think critically and apply evidence-based practices in real clinical situations, ultimately improving patient safety and care outcomes.

References

1. Jarvis, C. (2019). Physical examination and health assessment (8th ed.). Saunders.
2. Levy, S., & Turner, B. (2020). Clinical reasoning in nursing practice: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Education, 59(10), 565-572.
3. Benner, P., Hughes, F., & Sutphen, M. (2010). Clinical reasoning, decisionmaking, and action: Thinking systematically in nursing. In P. Benner et al. (Eds.), Clinical wisdom and scientific knowledge in nursing (pp. 97-130). Springer Publishing.
4. Giddings, L. S. (2017). Virtual simulation and nursing education: A review of benefits and challenges. Nursing Education Perspectives, 38(2), 107-109.
5. Huang, Y., & Liu, T. (2021). Enhancing clinical reasoning skills in nursing through simulation-based education. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 11(4), 45-52.
6. Nevo, D., & Chan, Z. C. (2021). The role of technology-enhanced learning in nursing education: A systematic review. Nurse Education Today, 96, 104639.
7. McGaghie, W. C., Issenberg, S. B., Petrusa, E. R., et al. (2011). A critical review of simulation-based medical education research: 2003–2009. Medical Education, 45(12), 1213-1220.
8. Stewart, S. J., & Weitzel, T. (2018). Patient-centered communication in clinical practice: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(7-8), e1041-e1064.
9. Wang, L., & Buxton, J. (2019). Evidence-based approaches to musculoskeletal and neurological assessments. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(9), 1964-1974.
10. Brady, N., & Donaldson, J. (2020). Critical thinking and clinical decision-making: Foundations for practice. Nursing Clinics of North America, 55(2), 193-205.