As part of the coursework for NUR 419 Advanced Acute Care Nursing, this student had the assignment to assess a patient on a critical care unit. This assessment was done using the Synergy Model, which concludes with the assessment results. The Synergy Model was created by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) because all patients have needs, no matter the severity of their health state. The more critical the patient, the more care they require from their healthcare team. The Synergy Model helps to match the patient to the competencies of the nurse. According to the AACN, “When nurse competencies stem from patient needs and the characteristics of the nurse and patient synergize, optimal patient outcomes can result” (AACN, 2014,
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The patient coded twice before arriving to the MICU, the down time for the patient had placed a significant strain on his body. Patient presented with lactic acidosis, bilateral pneumonia, and diabetic ketoacidosis. This all was in addition to the diagnosis of septic shock. Patient was intubated and had to be maintained on a positive end-expiratory volume pressure of 20 to maintain an appropriate oxygenation level. This is a very high level to be placed on and put the patient at risk for developing a pneumothorax. Many lab levels had reduced after 2 days of treatment; however, many remained unfavorable. A lactic acid level of 6.1 mmol/L was reduced to 4.2 mmol/L (reference range from 0.4-2.0 mmol/L). Glucose levels ranged from 370 to 560, even with the use of a glucose stabilizer (Patient chart, 2014). The patient was in serious condition and was being treated as …show more content…
A Level 5 demonstration was achieved. The student nurse, along with her preceptor, took the time to talk to the family and explain the patient’s status. Advocacy for the patient was shown through maintaining pain with use of the FLACC scale and continued measures to ensure comfort. The student and her preceptor worked together to monitor this complex patient. An orogastric tube was inserted, drug compatibility was checked, and full assessments were performed as a unit (AACN,
The patient coded twice before arriving to the MICU, the down time for the patient had placed a significant strain on his body. Patient presented with lactic acidosis, bilateral pneumonia, and diabetic ketoacidosis. This all was in addition to the diagnosis of septic shock. Patient was intubated and had to be maintained on a positive end-expiratory volume pressure of 20 to maintain an appropriate oxygenation level. This is a very high level to be placed on and put the patient at risk for developing a pneumothorax. Many lab levels had reduced after 2 days of treatment; however, many remained unfavorable. A lactic acid level of 6.1 mmol/L was reduced to 4.2 mmol/L (reference range from 0.4-2.0 mmol/L). Glucose levels ranged from 370 to 560, even with the use of a glucose stabilizer (Patient chart, 2014). The patient was in serious condition and was being treated as …show more content…
A Level 5 demonstration was achieved. The student nurse, along with her preceptor, took the time to talk to the family and explain the patient’s status. Advocacy for the patient was shown through maintaining pain with use of the FLACC scale and continued measures to ensure comfort. The student and her preceptor worked together to monitor this complex patient. An orogastric tube was inserted, drug compatibility was checked, and full assessments were performed as a unit (AACN,