Linda Stevens LPN Works On A Medical Floor At The Local H ✓ Solved
Linda Stevens Lpn Works On A Medical Floor At The Local H
Linda Stevens, LPN, works on a medical floor at the local hospital. One of the patients she has been assigned to take care of is Frank Gibbons, a 72-year-old newly diagnosed with diabetes (a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels). Part of Linda’s process of preparing to care for her patients is to review the patients’ charts for any new physician orders. She notes that Dr. Romero was in the previous evening and ordered the patient’s blood sugar to be checked at 8 a.m. According to the results, insulin is to be given. (The higher the level of blood sugar, the greater the amount of insulin that is given, based on a formula defined by the physician.) Linda is a “thinking nurse” and starts to question if this is an appropriate order. She realizes that breakfast trays arrive at 7:30 a.m. on her floor and that Mr. Gibbons will already have eaten when she checks his insulin level at 8 a.m. She knows that after eating, a person’s blood sugar normally increases for a few hours. This is why blood sugar tests are usually ordered when the patient has not eaten for a number of hours.
Linda reasons that if she calculates the amount of insulin based on the temporarily elevated blood sugar levels, Mr. Gibbons will receive too much insulin and may have a negative reaction. Linda calls Dr. Romero to clarify the order. Dr. Romero states that he believed the breakfast trays did not arrive until 8:30 a.m. He thanks Linda for catching the error and changes the order. What might have happened if Linda had simply performed the blood sugar test exactly as ordered? Do you think Linda should have been considered responsible for the error if she had followed the orders exactly? Review the five Ws and How questions in relation to this situation. Give examples of questions that Linda may have asked herself.
Paper For Above Instructions
The case of Linda Stevens, an LPN at a local hospital, presents a critical scenario in nursing practice that underscores the importance of critical thinking and the need for effective communication within healthcare teams. In this situation, Linda's intervention prevented a potentially dangerous outcome for her patient, Mr. Frank Gibbons, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes. In order to analyze this situation effectively, we will address several questions using the five Ws and How: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. These questions will help illuminate the circumstances surrounding the nurse's decision to question the physician's orders and understand her role in ensuring patient safety.
Who?
In this scenario, the key individuals involved are Linda Stevens, the licensed practical nurse (LPN), and Dr. Romero, the physician who ordered the blood sugar check. Additionally, Frank Gibbons, the patient, is at the center of this case. Understanding the responsibilities of each party is crucial in assessing accountability; Linda is responsible for patient care and safety, while Dr. Romero must provide clear and appropriate medical orders.
What?
The main action in question is the order for Mr. Gibbons's blood sugar to be tested at 8 a.m. after he has already eaten breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The issue lies in the timing of the blood sugar test relative to the meal, as eating typically raises blood sugar levels. Therefore, the order could lead to an inaccurate calculation of necessary insulin dosage, putting the patient at risk for hyperglycemia or other adverse reactions. Moreover, the discrepancy between the doctor's understanding of breakfast timing and the actual schedule demonstrates a communication lapse within the healthcare team.
When?
The timeline of events is critical in this case. Dr. Romero was in the hospital the previous evening and wrote the order at that time, likely unaware that breakfast trays would arrive at 7:30 a.m. This factor is pivotal, as the blood sugar test taken at 8 a.m. would have been affected by the patient's recent meal. Linda's proactive thinking and timing of the tests represent an essential nursing responsibility to advocate for optimal patient care.
Where?
The setting for this scenario is the medical floor of a local hospital where Linda works. The environment is fast-paced, with multiple patients requiring care and potential medical orders that need careful consideration. High-stress environments necessitate vigilance and critical thinking from healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
Why?
Linda's decision to question the physician's order stems from her understanding of diabetes management and blood sugar testing protocols. It's essential to conduct blood sugar checks when the patient is in a fasting state to get accurate readings. Her knowledge of the relationship between food intake and blood sugar fluctuations guided her to realize that just following orders without question could jeopardize Mr. Gibbons's safety. Linda's actions epitomize the principles of patient advocacy and ethical nursing practice.
How?
Linda demonstrated her clinical judgment by assessing the patient's situation against standard medical practices, leading her to ultimately call Dr. Romero for clarification. This step exemplifies the nursing process, which encompasses assessing the situation, analyzing factors impacting patient care, and advocating for the patient when necessary. If Linda had performed the test as ordered, it might have resulted in an erroneous insulin dosage, causing serious harm to Mr. Gibbons. This highlights the necessity for nurses to feel empowered to question orders that do not align with patient safety protocols.
Furthermore, had Linda simply followed the doctor's instructions without verification, she would not be held personally responsible for the error as she was following standard nursing protocol. Healthcare teams must collaborate and communicate effectively for patient safety, and while nurses are accountable for their actions, they are not always accountable for decisions made by physicians, particularly if those decisions are flawed. Thus, while Linda's actions protected the patient, they illustrate a greater systemic issue of communication and teamwork in healthcare settings.
In conclusion, Linda's critical thinking and interventions were essential in averting possible dangers posed to Frank Gibbons. By reviewing the five Ws and How concerning this situation, we gain insight into the importance of communication within healthcare teams and underscore the responsibilities of nursing professionals in ensuring safe patient care. Indeed, Linda Stevens's example serves as a compelling reminder for all healthcare providers to maintain awareness of how food intake can affect medication dosages and to question orders that may jeopardize patient safety.
References
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- American Diabetes Association. (2020). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care, 43(Supplement 1), S1-S232.
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