Running Head: REFLECTIVE LEARNING JOURNAL SUBMISSION TEMPLATE

 

Reflective Learning Journal Submission Template

1. Perfusion
2. Pain
3. Pleuritic

 

The most interesting thing I read for this session was:

1. Checking the pulse of the patient, this is because the patient may be dead or about to die and therefore checking the pulse will enable you to monitor the situation of the patient. The pulse rate gives one the hint and is a clear sign that the heart is ok.
2. The other most crucial thing to check in a patient is the aching body parts, especially in the head (Arlington, 2010).
3. Paramedics should ensure that the breathing system of a patient is not blocked or affected and this is because when the system is affected, the chances of the patient to survive are very minimal. In situations where the patient has difficulties breathing, paramedics should put patients in lifesaver machines in order to help the patients’ breath.

 

Three main things I learned from this session were:  

1. The critical signs of a sick patient
2. The crucial symptoms to check for when determining a patient’s condition
3. Respiratory and mental disorders

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously, I thought the following were true, but I learned that they aren’t:  

1. Concussions only occur due to head injuries or head knocks.
2. Mental disorders are not in any way related to other body organs.
3. Fatigue cannot result to respiratory complications or even mental problems.

 

 

I thought we would have/should have covered this topic, but we didn’t:  

1. Assess for colour and temperature of the patient. This is because it will help determine if the patient is in shock or not.
2. Assess for colour and condition of skin, because the results from this test will help determine if the skin of the patient is pale and also tell the normal condition of the patient (Arlington, 2010)
3. Assess chest wall respiratory movements. This is because it is the respiratory system that helps the patient to breathe and assist other body organs to function.

 

 

 

 

I found this new or surprising:

1. The differences in age between a male and female can be a contributing factor when it comes to telling the critical signs.
2. That the speech of a person can determine the health status of a person. This is because at times a person’s character can be confusing therefore making it difficult to tell whether or not the patient is genuine about his/her health.
3. Shortness in breath can affect a patient pulse rate and breathing system.

 

Some things I have changed my mind about, as a result of this topic are:

1. A very sick patient has more than one chronic critical signs.
2. Some mental problems are directly related to other organs such as the eyes and ears.
3. Fatigue can cause mental complications.

 

Some things I learned in this topic that I may be able to use in future are:

1. The critical signs of a sick patient and a not so sick patient.
2. Speech can be used to tell the health status of a patient (Arlington, 2010)
3. The critical signs are very crucial and should be given priority when treating a patient because they determine survival chances of the patient (Arlington, 2010).

 

 

I am still unsure about, and what you will do to know about it?

1. Seizures and other head injuries.
2. Concussions
3. Visual field deficit

Issues that interested me a lot, and that I would like to study in more detail are:

1. Assess for tracheal deviations because it shows injuries suffered in the head and neck (Arlington, 2010)
2. The speech of the patient because it tests whether or not the patient has stroke
3. Assess for facial and cranial lesions because it would help me identify the injuries of a patient in the head and neck.

 

Things I most liked about this session (things to keep) were…  

1. Oxygen machine because it helps treat patients who have difficulties breathing and respiratory distress.
2. Cardiac monitor because it helps the patient’s with severe cardiac or heart problems.
3. Blood pressure cuffs because they measure and record the blood pressure of the patient (Arlington, 2010)

 

 

Things I most disliked about this session (things to change) were…  

1. One has to conduct a lot of tests some of which are unnecessary and tiresome because you have to identify a patient’s main problem.
2. Paramedics are not viewed as been qualified medical personnel’s because of the intense examination they undergo.
3. Inadequacy of work because paramedics only respond to emergencies.

 

 

Reference

Arlington, K. (2010, July 20). Questions over mental state of paramedic. Retrieved September 23, 2011, from www.smh.com

Monash university. (2011, February 18). Management of mental health. Retrieved September 23, 2011, from www.monash.edu

US department of labor. (2009, December 17). Emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Retrieved September 23, 2011, from www.bls.gov.com