Reflective Nursing Competencies
Week 1
During week one, I learnt about women’s reproductive health, especially common cultural beliefs and behaviors correlated to the child-bearing period. These beliefs include the use of traditional drugs and commemorating pre-birth ceremonies. I noted that most women prefer modern delivery methods; hence, contributing to a significant reduction in the population relying on conventional delivery services. This factor explains the increase in the number of deliveries through caesarean section. Notably, some expectant mothers still practice traditional methods of relieving labour pain like use of plant products.
I noted that there is a relationship between evidence-based practise and research in the nursing field. Research applies qualitative and quantitative analysis to derive new ideas and concepts in maternal nursing. However, I realized that evidence-based practice utilizes research data to offer quality services. Research and evidence-based practice aim at attaining quality patient care in the nursing sector. I noted that significant decisions in health care department depend on research findings; hence there is a dire need to sponsor learners in research.
Week 2
In week two, I was impressed with the nutritional requirements of breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers. I noted that lactating women have to comply with specific dietary guidelines to boost their nutrition and immunity. It is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to consume healthy foods that are relatively the amount they consumed during pregnancy. The meals should consist of proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables (Glasieret al., 2020). Also, women should avoid alcohol, caffeine, tea, and isotonic drinks. Following the recommended nutritional procedures assists in improving a lactating mother’s health and their child’s.
I learned that physical, psychosocial, and sociological risks of pregnant adolescents and marginalized populations. Giving birth to underweight babies, miscarriages, and stillbirths are some of the common physical challenges that underage mother experience due to their physical weaknesses (Koniak-Griffin et al., 2002). Moreover, I noted the psychological problems teenagers face, lead to depression and stress that trigger suicidal perceptions. In some instances, mental distress occurs due to contracting sexually transmitted diseases after indulging in premarital sex. The high poverty levels have aggravated sociological challenges among pregnant teenagers in society that hinder them from catering to their necessities.
Week 3
In week three, I gained insight into various labour stages, particularly the second, third, and fourth stages. The second birth phase starts when the cervix opens and ends when a child is born. The third phase commences after delivery and ends when the placenta is disposed. Moreover, the fourth phase ensues about two hours after delivery and entails the uterus contraction and expulsion of remnants from the birth canal (Glasier et al., 2020). The second phase is more crucial than the rest, and it requires nurses to be more attentive.
Furthermore, I obtained a comprehensive understanding of nursing care on women who are prone to bleeding during pregnancy. Several women experience abdominal pains and cramps that might result in bleeding during their pregnancy. I noted that placenta abruption and infections are some of the possible causes that trigger bleeding. Surgery helps in extracting tissues that might cause bleeding. Hence, it is an effective remedy in mitigating the bleeding. Admission of specific medical drugs helps in combating vaginal bleeding and avoids associated risks, especially miscarriages. I noted that vaginal bleeding could be fatal; therefore, victims should seek immediate medical treatment.
Week 4
The fourth week describes the behaviour patterns of new-born babies. I noted that babies possess a variety of characteristics during birth. Some new-borns are active, while others are just relaxed. The typical behaviour associated with infants includes sleeping for about 16 hours in a day although their sleep pattern varies. Babies have similar communication strategies, for example, crying and screaming. Additionally, they use gestures, and facial expressions express their feelings. New-born babies recognize their mothers through their scent, facial appearance, and voice.
This topic also talks on prenatal and antenatal care to pregnant women. In prenatal care, medics focus on pregnant women’s wellbeing before delivery, while during antenatal care healthcare providers prioritize mothers’ health after childbirth. During these clinical sessions, nurses offer crucial information to pregnant ladies on nutritional requirements and physical exercises to boost their wellbeing. Besides, nurses address their patients’ health standards by administering essential vaccines (Glasier et al., 2020). Frequent clinical consultations are meant to ensure expectant women are safe and deliver a healthy new-born. Expectant mothers can choose their preferred delivery methods and medical care.
Week 5
In week 5, I learned about the criteria for discharge and typical patient medical concerns. I realized that release should be transparent or milky to indicate whether an individual is either healthy or has an infection. Besides, a woman’s ovulation cycle determines the appearance of their discharge. Normal discharge should not be painful as when one has an infection. Women can overcome such discharge infections by maintaining proper hygiene, avoid using scented soaps, and drying their genitals after bathing. In case of persistent pain characterized by milky discharge, one should seek medical care swiftly.
This unit discusses risks and benefits linked to male circumcision. I noted the threats of male circumcision to victims. Firstly, the cut is painful and leads to excessive bleeding. There is also a chance of acquiring infections and injuring of the penis during the operation. At times, male circumcision causes itching of glans and inflammation of the penis’s head. Sharing of circumcision equipment increases the possibility of patients contracting sexually transmitted diseases. However, I noted that there are several benefits of circumcision, such as improved personal hygiene and lower chances to contract penile cancer. Male circumcision reduces the risk of contracting STDs since it eliminates the foreskin which holds viruses from seminal fluids.
Week 6
During this week, I learned about nutritional assessment, the growth pattern of new-borns, and common dietary concerns among parents. Nutritional evaluation compares body aspects like weight and size to ascertain medical wellbeing of mothers and babies. The growth pattern among infants can be equated to their average growth rate during the first year of a baby. I noted that in most cases, babies double their weight and height within six months. Most parents’ concern is on a child’s weight, health status, and behavioural response.
I focused on medical care provided to infants with chronic illnesses. For instance, a medic should inject zidovudine prophylaxis to a child exposed to HIV. The drug prevents viral transmission from mother to child. An infant with cold should be kept in an incubator and monitored strictly. Additionally, children born by patients with diabetes require constant blood sugar level monitoring to establish a suitable diet for them. Babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome need critical medical care. Underweight babies require the administration of extra calories to boost their immunity.
Week 7
Week 7 talks on assessment of sexual history of patients. Since most people consider sexuality as a private affair, nurses face challenges in gathering information on this topic. Marital records are essential in health care provision as they offer information on pregnancy history, STDs awareness, and sexual abuse. This knowledge ensures effective prenatal and antenatal care to mothers. Nurses should create a rapport with patients to gather maximum information on sexuality.
I learned about the role nurses play in providing quality medical care to women with breast cancer. Physicians in this sector have to boost patients’ self-esteem by offering counselling services and providing a healing assurance to patients. Nurses must ensure that their patients abide by their treatment routines to the end to ensure quick healing and be aware of women’s needs to address them. Furthermore, medics should create a friendly atmosphere in hospitals to enhance the recovery process among ill persons.
Week 8
In week 8, the syllabus examines the emotional impact on couples undergoing genetic counselling. Genetic counselling includes advising individuals on genetic disorders and guidelines to follow to avoid genetic diseases. I noted that couples undertaking genetic counselling go through psychological distress due to low self-esteem, stigmatization, and prejudice, particularly at workplaces. Hence, genetic disorders may trigger infertility, high mortality rates, or high possibility of one developing other cancer diseases. However, I understood that we can minimize the situation using modern technologies to lower hereditary transmission risks.
I was also interested in learning more about benign tumours associated with the reproductive system and their characteristic, signs, and symptoms. Although a benign tumor has cancerous cells, it does not interfere with surrounding tissues like most cancer conditions. I realized that at a chronic stage, these conditions have detrimental impacts on essential body constituents such as the blood system. Some of the common manifestations include pain, high body temperatures, little body energy, and fatigue. Additionally, a patient is prone to appetite or weight loss, and at times one has abnormal colds. Worse still, I noted that one loses weight and experiences pain regularly. The syllabus enhanced my knowledge on maternal and reproductive health, and I hope to utilize it in my practice.
References
Glasier, A., Gülmezoglu, A., Schmid, G., Moreno, C., & Van Look, P. (2006). Sexual and reproductive health: a matter of life and death. The Lancet, 368(9547), 1595-1607. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(06)69478-6
Koniak-Griffin, D., Anderson, N., Brecht, M., Verzemnieks, I., Lesser, J., & Kim, S. (2002). Public health nursing care for adolescent mothers: impact on infant health and selected maternal outcomes at 1year postbirth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 30(1), 44-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1054-139x(01)00330-5