Assignments

Week 4 - Critical Thinking and Reflection 

After completing the assignments for this week, I noticed something that I have not considered before. When giving ISBAR to

a co-nurse the 'Assessment' part is more elaborate, however, when given to a physician it is more focused and directed towards a particular diagnosis. This may be because of the cultural aspect taught in nursing where " the doctor is too busy to listen to the unnecessary details". Does this mean we, as nurses, consider a physician's time more valuable than nurse's? If yes, by giving focused ISBAR, how is this affecting patient care overall? Will this increase the chances of medical errors or misinterpretation of data? Perhaps, this is something I need to reflect on further. 

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During class meetings, we were asked to select abnormal lab values and symptoms out of a clusters of options.

None of us chose magnesium as outstanding lab values, which manifested as bilateral leg cramps. Often times, when there are abnormalities in the muscles , nurses tend to think of potassium values. This was a knowledge gap we all had as a group. Ever since then, I have been mindful of magnesium abnormalities as well.