Reflection On Blood Pressure

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I am writing an essay reflecting on a practical which my colleague and I performed on the observations of a patient. This includes blood pressure, temperature, respiration and pulse rate. The purpose of the practical was to ensure that I have an understanding of how to take observations of a patient i.e. blood pressure. In this essay, I will be using Driscoll’s model (2000) to reflect on the practical I performed. I am using this model as it mirrors the experience of my practical. Reflection is reviewing an experience from practice so that it may be described, analysed, evaluated and consequently used to inform and change future practice. (Bulman, Schutz, 2008) In pairs, we had to share the responsibility of taking these observations. I…show more content…
The NMC (2010) states that “you should ensure that you gain their consent before you begin to provide care”. I successfully took the blood pressure asking him if he wanted to know the result and explained that it was below the normal range offering him some food. Blood pressure is the force of pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. Normal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 140/90mmHg. Hypertension is high blood pressure. It is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them. Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure (Ross and Wilson, 2011). If the reading is above 140/90mmHg, the patient would be suffering from hypertension. If the reading is below 90/60mmHg, the patient would be suffering from…show more content…
As Nurses, it is important to wash our hands before and after patient contact. Hand hygiene is the single most important practice when reducing the spread of infection during patient care (Folan, Baillie, 2009). The CVB (Care Value Base) is an ethical code which governs how caregivers need to act in certain situations within a health and social care setting. They must not be discriminating, violating people’s rights or providing poor care for their patients. The caregivers must however protect patients from harm, maintain confidentiality and respect patients’ privacy. Taking patient consent is part of the care value base as it is in their right of care. For Ronnie to be comfortable and understand what I was doing, I was talking him through how I would take the blood pressure using certain equipment so he wouldn’t be confused with the machine next to him. I ensured that the patient was comfortable before leaving the area. It is important leaving the patient happy so they don’t feel vulnerable and depressed. There are many issues I need to work on so I can improve myself. I will work on these improvements with my tutor and staff nurses which can better me so I can in future become a competent
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