Registered Nurses (RN) have a significant role in caring for patients in critical
conditions. Their professional qualifications enable them to detect signs of
deteriorating patients, such as changes in respiratory rate
...
Registered Nurses (RN) have a significant role in caring for patients in critical
conditions. Their professional qualifications enable them to detect signs of
deteriorating patients, such as changes in respiratory rates, pressure, temperature, and
even through physical examinations (Anstey, Bhasale, Dunbar, & Buchan, 2019).
Patient monitoring remains a professional responsibility for nurses working in critical
care units. They are mandated to monitor and document changes in their patients for
informed medical intervention to enhance recovery. Nurses demonstrate a high level
of awareness of their professional qualifications and competency by detecting these
changes and taking an active response by recording the changes, documenting them,
and informing their team leaders or doctors in charge of the changes taking place so
that there is an adequate response for improving patient safety and quality of care
(Anstey, Bhasale, Dunbar, & Buchan, 2019).
The case study on the death of Michael Calder demonstrates a significant lack
of professionalism and accountability from the enrolled nurses. According to
Queensland Courts (2016), enrolled nurses monitoring Michael Calder did not use
opportunities from early warning signs in deterioration of the patient to save his life.
A study by owney, Tahir, Randell, Brown, and Jayne (2017) found that early warning
signs precede most adverse events in critical care units. Proper detection and
documentation of these signs play a significant role in saving the patient's life,
improving the recovery outcomes, or preventing the patient from unintended harm.
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