Surgical Case 4: Vernon Watkins
Guided Reflection Questions
1. How did the scenario make you feel?
a. The scenario made me felt a bit overwhelmed, but it was a good experience to
go through. It took a lot of tries to
...
Surgical Case 4: Vernon Watkins
Guided Reflection Questions
1. How did the scenario make you feel?
a. The scenario made me felt a bit overwhelmed, but it was a good experience to
go through. It took a lot of tries to get the score I did, but it sort of taught me a
few things.
2. Discuss your use of adjunct oxygen therapy for this patient, including why you chose a
particular oxygen device, rate, and flow.
a. I chose a nasal cannula but was marked wrong for it. However, I decided to do
oxygen therapy, due to complaints from the patient, his condition and clinical
findings.
3. Discuss Vernon Watkins’ arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis result and explain what caused
this result.
a. The patient showed respiratory alkalosis and mild hypoxemia. The respiratory
alkalosis is most likely caused by the fast-respiratory rate that may have caused
his body trying to compensate for the hypoxemia from the PE.
4. Discuss the use of a heparin nomogram (guideline for heparin titration) and safety
related to this intervention.
a. Heparin was ordered for the patient to reduce the possibility of further
coagulation causing more clots to form. The nomogram uses the pt’s weight and
PTT to determine a therapeutic range for the pt. The heparin calculation should
be verified by two nurses for pt’s safety.
5. What key elements would you include in the handoff report for this patient? Consider
the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) format.
a. S- Pt is post op hemicolectomy. Upon assessment pt began complaining of
difficulty in breathing.
b. B- diagnosed with PR and is currently on 1440 units/hr heparin infusion.
c. A- symptoms improved but not completely resolved, and VS seemed to be stable
for now.
d. R- It is recommended that pt be under close observation for changes in condition
6. Discuss why Vernon Watkins may be at risk for right ventricular failure as a complication
of his pulmonary embolism (PE).
a. He’s at risk because the PE is blocking blood flow from the right ventricle to the
lung, in which raises the pressure at which the right ventricle must pump blood.
This puts a strain on the heart and can cause right ventricle failure.
7. Discuss how you would communicate with the patient in acute respiratory distress in
this emergency situation and what effective communication techniques you would use.
a. It is important to keep the patient as comfortable as possible, therefore there
should be use of reassura
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