Today was my first day of Community Health clinicals at Lanier County Health Department. When I arrived, I meet the nurses then was oriented to the facility. I was surprised how many patients arrived first thing in the morning to see the WIC educator and the nutritionist. I was apprehensive as to what my day was going to entail.
The first patient my preceptor and I saw was a young African American female with a 1-year-old. She was at the Health Department to receive her 12-week shot of Depo-Provera, a contraceptive. My preceptor obtained her weight, blood pressure, and asked about any updates with her health. The patient received the shot and made her next appointment for 12 weeks later. The next patient in was a 3-year-old boy that …show more content…
Caring for the 3-year-old boy was much different then caring for the young women. My preceptor spoke to him in simple terms, explaining all the equipment to him. Looking at Halloween decorations distracted the boy, allowing the nurse to obtain the blood sample quickly. Caring for one of the young females was very difficult; she did not want any of the procedures to be done. Even though she was in her mid 20s with a 1-year-old, she was a very difficult patient. My nurse and I had to spend more time with this patient to communicate everything we were doing and explain why the procedures were important. This particular patient seemed uneducated on important health care practices, but once we explained why having a breast exam and pelvic exam were important in preventing breast cancer and cervical cancer, she began to comply. The other young woman was willing to comply with everything, but talked about personal issues and seemed like she needed someone to talk to. These patients had one thing in common, having no insurance. They were able to receive birth control and a yearly physical at a low cost. They all also shared low levels of iron; this may predict the population coming to this health department is not eating enough nutritious
The first patient my preceptor and I saw was a young African American female with a 1-year-old. She was at the Health Department to receive her 12-week shot of Depo-Provera, a contraceptive. My preceptor obtained her weight, blood pressure, and asked about any updates with her health. The patient received the shot and made her next appointment for 12 weeks later. The next patient in was a 3-year-old boy that …show more content…
Caring for the 3-year-old boy was much different then caring for the young women. My preceptor spoke to him in simple terms, explaining all the equipment to him. Looking at Halloween decorations distracted the boy, allowing the nurse to obtain the blood sample quickly. Caring for one of the young females was very difficult; she did not want any of the procedures to be done. Even though she was in her mid 20s with a 1-year-old, she was a very difficult patient. My nurse and I had to spend more time with this patient to communicate everything we were doing and explain why the procedures were important. This particular patient seemed uneducated on important health care practices, but once we explained why having a breast exam and pelvic exam were important in preventing breast cancer and cervical cancer, she began to comply. The other young woman was willing to comply with everything, but talked about personal issues and seemed like she needed someone to talk to. These patients had one thing in common, having no insurance. They were able to receive birth control and a yearly physical at a low cost. They all also shared low levels of iron; this may predict the population coming to this health department is not eating enough nutritious