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RUNNING HEAD: Nursing Essay 1

Nursing Essay

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Nursing Essay 2

Contents

Nursing Essay ................................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Taking Blood Pressure ................................................................................................................ 4

Knowledge required in taking blood pressure and its importance .......................................... 5

Documenting blood pressure ................................................................................................... 7

Professional Values alongside taking blood pressure ................................................................. 8

How values and skills enhance patient care ............................................................................ 9

Linking knowledge, skills, and values to the concept of caring ............................................... 10

The Concept of caring ............................................................................................................... 11

Linking skills and values to caring and professional responsibility ......................................... 12

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 12

References ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Nursing Essay 3

Nursing Essay

Introduction

Nursing is one of the key professions around the globe, which need practitioners to have

passion and take it as a vocation. A nurse works long hours, at times they work on phone; much

is expected of them both in duty and off duty. I have chosen to discuss taking blood pressure

which is a crucial skill in the nursing practice. . I will start by outlining the knowledge required

to carry out taking blood pressure. I will then move on to describe why it is important to have

knowledge before carrying out taking blood pressure for clients. I will also explain how to

evaluate and document blood pressure data collected. Moreover, I will discuss the professional

values demonstrated alongside taking blood pressure. These professional values include respect,

promoting dignity, and promoting individualized care (Handley & Dodge, 2013). I will then

explain how these professional values link to taking blood pressure and how these values and

skills enhance patient care; nurses have to respect patients, as well as other members of the

profession, as this promotes dignity thus promoting individualized care. Towards the end of this

study, will discuss how the requirements of knowledge, skills, and values link to the concept of

caring and the professional regulation of nursing; the two are interlinked as there must be skills

and knowledge to meet the expected level of care among nurses. This will involve defining the

concept of caring and referring to what the department of health and the NMC say about caring

(Cook et al 2003). I will then conclude by linking the skills and values discussed to the caring

and the professional responsibility. The paper will seek to demonstrate the importance of having

the required knowledge and skill and professional responsibility when undertaking the nursing

Nursing Essay 4

skill; in this case, we will use measuring of blood pressure in displaying the concept of care. This

will be achieved through the knowledge and skills learnt by nurses in their training.

Taking Blood Pressure

Taking blood pressure is important because it is used to determine the pressure at which

blood is flowing in the blood vessels. Blood vessels act as the medium of transport; the heart

pumps the blood through these blood vessels. As blood moves through the vessels, the pressure

is exerted in the walls of these vessels, especially the arteries. Blood pressure varies throughout

the day as the human body carries out various activities. Factors that influence blood pressure

range from sleep, exercise, body position, emotions, and medication among others. However, if

the blood pressure remains high or low for a long time, it results in anomalies for the blood

circulatory system which later affect other body processes. In most cases patients may

experience headache, oedema, and high pulse rate among others.

Normal blood pressure is expected to be in the range between 120/80 mmHg and 140/90

mmHg. If the pressure exceeds the upper limit of 140/90mmHg, the patient is said to be

experiencing high blood pressure (hypertension). Consequently, if the blood pressure goes below

the lower limit of 100/60 mmHg, the patient is said to be experiencing low blood pressure

(hypotension). High blood pressure is the most common disorder that affects the functionality of

the blood circulatory system. A patient has to register more than one high blood pressure reading

before a nurse can confirm that the patient has high blood pressure. This is because there are

many daily activities that can cause an increase the blood pressure such as climbing stairs among

other vigorous activities.

Nursing Essay 5

Taking of the blood pressure is a simple task in my opinion. The nurse wraps the

sphygmomanometers cuff around the upper part of the arm; the cuff’s lower edge should be one

to two inches above the antecubital fossa (Hansten & Washburn, 2000, p.16). The cuff’s bladder

length should be about 80% of the arm’s circumference (this does not take place among all

patients as there are those patients with amputated arms, obese, patients with collapsed vessels

resulting from extremely low blood pressure, or hypovolumia (sphygmomanometer may be

used)). This is followed by inflating the cuff to about 180mmHg; release the air moderately at a

rate of about 3mm/sec. As the cuff is getting deflated, one has to listen to the heartbeat suing the

stethoscope. One will realize a knocking sound which is a subject of systolic pressure, which is

between 120mmHg to100mmHg; it is followed by a silent sound which indicates the diastolic

pressure which is normally between 80mmHg to 60mmHg. It is important to record the pressure

in both arms for precision purposes. Records should be made keenly, each result against its hand

and the subject’s position (supine). Blood pressure above the 140/100mmHg requires medical

attention; the same case as records below 100/60mmHg. An ideal example is where a pregnant

woman records a pressure of 140/100mmHg, which is a condition known as preeclampsia; the

condition should be managed to prevent it from getting to eclampsia (160/120mmHg) which in

most cases causes emergency delivery of the baby.

Knowledge required in taking blood pressure and its importance

In the nursing profession, it is important for the nurse to have the knowledge required in

taking blood pressure. As stated earlier, high blood pressure is the most common disorder among

human beings. Patients with high blood pressure are at a higher risk of heart disease, heart

failure, stroke, kidney failure, kidney disease, and eye problems among others (Boyer, 1990). It

is also important that the nurse has knowledge of the causes of high blood pressure so as to

Nursing Essay 6

manage the underlying problem. High blood pressure may result from, excessive salt intake,

kidney problems, smoking; high consumption of alcohol, overweight/obesity, and normal cases

such pregnancy and family medical history. An ideal example is an obese person; he/she has

constricted blood vessels due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the vessels. This cases the

blood to flow in high pressure.

The nurse should be able to communicate with the patient and establish these facts about

the patient’s life. The nurse should also have knowledge of methods of preventing and managing

blood pressure. This is important because the nurse should be able to advise the patient on how

to prevent or manage high blood pressure. Background information helps the nurse to give the

most appropriate advice to the patient depending on their background. Methods of preventing

blood pressure include eating healthy foods, increased physical activity, maintaining a healthy

weight, reduction of salt and alcohol intake, quitting smoking, taking medication, and monitoring

blood pressure regularly to ensure it is within normal range. This way, the nurse is able to help

the patient improve their quality of life. A good example is where an obese child is put under a

healthy diet as well as physical activities to enhance blood flow.

The nurse should also have knowledge of medication for high blood pressure patients.

This is because nurses are tasked with administering medication to patients during execution of

patient monitoring. Given that the nurse has proper background information. Administration of

medication is not only a task that nurses carry out daily; it requires thought and implementation

of professional judgment and knowledge. Administration of medication is conducted according

to the standards for medicines management for hypertensive patients. This applies in a case

where the nurse uses his/her knowledge and skill in determining whether to carry out an

emergency delivery or to administer fluids to control the high pressure in a pregnant woman.

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Administration of medication for high blood pressure patients must be in line with

processes and methods of administration which include but not limited to medicine

administration charts, patient-specific/group direction, home remedies and prescription forms.

The nurse should check for directions on administration. Ensuring that the patient is not allergic

to the medication before administration is important as different people react different to

different chemical substances such as sulphur. The nurse should understand the therapeutic uses

of the medication and ensure that it is in line with the patient’s plan of care. This requires

background knowledge of all anomalies and trends related to high blood pressure patients.

Documenting blood pressure

Normal blood pressure is expected to be in the range between 120/80 mmHg and 100/60

mmHg. Documentation of blood pressure enables analysis of blood pressure by the doctor and

other medical practitioners working with the patient. Blood pressure measurement is one of the

first checks that a patient goes through especially in the emergency department. The nurse is

expected to document systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Measuring blood pressure also

requires precautions such as ensuring frequent calibration of aneroid and digital manometers.

This requires competence, commitment, integrity and caring skills (Boyer, 1990).

The nurse should use a functional and validated device and ensure that it is properly

calibrated. The high blood pressure reading should be recorded immediately. The value should

be to the nearest 2mmHg. Rounding off to the nearest 0 or 5 results is a common error in the

nursing profession. When reporting the results, they should be in the perspective of the patient’s

overall condition as well as other signs and symptoms observed. An ideal example is a diabetic

patient; they are more prone to hypertension. A nurse should consider all factors in such patients

Nursing Essay 8

as there may be other inputs leading the high blood pressure like in hypoglycaemia where there

is excessive sweating, convulsion and very high blood pressure.

Professional Values alongside taking blood pressure

Respect as a principle is enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights and which

proclaims basis for respect founded on the recognition of inherent dignity and equality of human

beings (Hansten & Washburn, 2000, p.16). Making patients feel respected during the taking of

blood pressure involves a multifaceted approach. Patients express important intuitions that may

be of substantial conceptual relevance. Nurses demonstrate respect by doing actions that are

good in nature; they should ask the patient for permission before performing any examination.

While taking blood pressure, nurses encounter patients who are disrespectful and ill-mannered

should be handled with patience (Henderson, 1991, p.34). Patient dignity is central towards

enhancing patient care. Maintaining dignity is important in cultivating a good relationship

between nurses and patients to promote their wellbeing during treatment, as it boost service

delivery (Burn & Grove, 2009, p.11). A nurse can achieve patient’s dignity by allowing them

time to prepare themselves for any procedure in private.

Hasten & Washburn suggest that one way of enhancing health care is by having a written

policy/guidance on the patient (2000). Nurses should abide and practice these procedures and

practices for treating patients with respect when taking blood pressure (Cook et al., 2003, p.12).

In an attempt to improve patient care, nurses should undergo periodical training to ensure they

are taught on how to handle matters related to dignity. Dignity should be expressed by how

nurses handle a conversation with patients as well as their colleagues (Henderson, 1991, p.23).

Individualized care is a crucial indicator of quality patient care. Through understanding patient

Nursing Essay 9

experience, behaviors, feelings and perception a nurse is able to offer personalized care (Boyer,

1990, p.19).

Family, nurses, and patients consider nursing to be an important feature of individualized

care. Nurses devise various health care plan based on this personalized health care so that they

can treat each patient uniquely. Promoting individualized care takes the form of respecting

people’s values and putting patients at the center of care (Burns & Grove, 2009, p.11). In

addition to that, the 6Cs of the nursing profession emphasize compassion in practice (Cipriano,

2007). The 6Cs are care, commitment, compassion, competence, communication, and courage.

My professional values as a nurse are necessary for taking blood pressure. This involves

ensuring that I show the patients the utmost level of respect, by asking questions with patience; a

nurse should also have a good choice of words to avoid conflicting with the patient. This enables

me to promote their dignity and promote individualized care to the patient.

How values and skills enhance patient care

There are a number of reasons why professional values and skills are advocated in the

nursing fraternity. In this century, professional values form the bedrock of modern healthcare.

Adhering to professional values and skills come with a lot of benefits for nurses. By offering

individualized care nurses are able to forge a relationship with the patient and their families. This

is particularly important as it eases the tension and both parties are able to communicate freely.

By forging respect, dignity and emphasizing with the patient, they feel that their concern is being

genuinely addressed and they are receiving value for their money. This makes them more

comfortable and open to sharing their stories and their insecurities (Cook et al, 2003, p.34).

Nursing Essay 10

Linking knowledge, skills, and values to the concept of caring

Taking blood pressure is one of the exciting tasks that I enjoy in practice. However,

before I take the blood pressure of patients, it is important to collect basic patients’ information

such as weight, age, and marital status (it enhances practitioner’s understanding; married people

undergo violence, there are also cases of pregnancy, among others). This is because the results of

the blood pressure may be dependent of the above personal information. It requires the concept

of caring, as it is important to identify the root cause of the problem other than just identifying

and treating the abnormality. The most accurate and reliable method of taking blood pressure is

using a sphygmomanometer. In many in cases, when I want to acquire accurate measurement, I

use this method. This is compared to digital methods, the traditional method is dependable and

chances of failure are minimal.

Before the procedure of taking the reading, I request my patients to straighten their arms,

and I personally ensure they are relaxed as I fit them with the cuff. Then, I turn on

sphygmomanometer air inflate valve and then reduce the inflation concurrently. Afterwards, I

locate the patient's pulse by using my index finger. Later I release the air by flipping it

counterclockwise. At this point, the pressure turns to 2 to 3 millimeters per second. This is the

last stage, in which I take patient systolic and diastolic pressure. The sound that goes through the

earpiece resembles a slight tapping sound. Documenting blood pressure is very important

because it provides the basis for doing blood analysis and screening. However, taking blood

pressure require precautions and the only the highly qualified, committed and competent are the

necessary skills required. Only a trained nurse is able to detect the systolic and the diastolic

blood pressure when using a mercury sphygmomanometer.

Nursing Essay 11

The Concept of caring

Caring as a concept is linked to the requirements of knowledge, skills, and value that

provide a professional guideline for regulating nursing. Application of knowledge and skills to

nursing practice is crucial in building a credible nursing practice (Handley & Dodge, 2013, p.19).

This is possible by integrating knowledge, simulation, and practice, which are the fundamentals

in achieving inherent value and work of nursing. Simulation enhances and improves nursing

skills and knowledge through integrating the two (Handley & Dodge, 2013, p.18). Dyad for

nursing is built on a strong foundation of knowledge and care that is critical in providing safe

and quality care to the patients. In nursing, concepts are perceived to be specific to a certain body

of knowledge while caring is seen as a concept that encompasses compassion, and respect.

However, nursing practice goes over and above basic knowledge and ability to care (Cook et al

2003, p.11). The profession also requires some personal sacrifice and successful nurses are those

whose aspect of caring is from within. This is because nursing is a vocation; they should operate

all around the clock and should be available on call.

Two years ago NMC introduces a new code of professional standards for nurses and

midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Council). This code of professionalism places the user and the

patient at the fore. In an attempt to decode caring, NMC structured four main points that

encompass caring. They include prioritizing people, trust, professionalism and practicing

effectively. The department has been running seminars and workshop to rubber stamp caring as a

virtual that needs to be depicted by all nursing practitioners. This code places emphasis more on

compassionate care, trust and teamwork (Bastable, 2017). To uphold the dignity of the patient, the

code of ethics has included a requirement to deliver fundamental care to the patients.

Nursing Essay 12

Linking skills and values to caring and professional responsibility

There is a big link between professional responsibilities and nursing care in a nursing

fraternity. Professional values and core values work together and they complement each other in

the service delivery to the patient (Zerwekh & Claborn, 2006, p.12). The relevance of caring and

different core values of professional nursing practices are crucial in providing necessary support

for the patients. Caring is very important in nursing and as a concept, it has led to the

development of various theories. In an attempt to elaborate term care, various theories have been

put forward to explain. This means that skills and values go hand-in-hand with caring and

professional resposbility. In any nursing institution around the globle, the main objective is to

instill the nursing knowledge, which in its defult carries the concept of care. This means that a

nurse should combine his/her nursing skills and knowledge so as to achive the profession’s

objective.

Conclusion

Taking blood pressure is a task undertaken to identify the most common disorder in the

circulatory system. Taking blood pressure requires implementation of professional skills, values,

and knowledge. It also requires implementation of the 6Cs and the concept of caring. The

concept of caring and professional values is critical in providing necessary support for the

patients in general. Knowledge and skills are important aspects of effective nursing as indicated

in this research (Westberg & Jason, 2011, p.21). To pursue this profession, respect and dignity

are crucial for success. Personal success calls for patience, diligence, and care. From the above

literature review and a case of this study, we can conclude that knowledge, skills, and values are

inter-linked.

Nursing Essay 13

References

Benner, P. (2001). From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice

(Commemorative e.d.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Boyer, E. (1990). Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities for the professionate. Princeton, NJ:

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Burns N, & Grove S.K. (2009). The practice of nursing research: appraisal, synthesis, and

Generation of Evidence.st Louis: Saunders Elsevier.

Cook, T., Gilmer, M., & Bess, C. (2003). Beginning students’ definitions of nursing: an

Inductive framework of Professional Identity. Journal of Nursing Education, 42(7),

311–317

Cipriano, P. (2007). Celebrating the art and science of nursing. American Nurse Today, 2(5),

Hansten, R., & Washburn, M. (2000). Intuition in professional practice: Executive and staff

Perceptions. Journal of Nursing Administration, 30, 185–189.

Henderson, V. (1991). The nature of nursing: Reflections after 25 years. Geneva,

Switzerland: International Council of Nurses.

Jerlock, M., Falk, K., & Severinsson, E. 2003. Academic nursing education guidelines: A

Tool for bridging the gap between theory, research, and practice. Nursing and Health

Sciences, 5(2), 219-228

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Paul, R. (1995). Critical thinking: How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Santa Rosa, CA: Midwest Publishing.

Weis, D. and Schank, M. J., (2000). An instrument to measure professional nursing values.

Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 32(2), pp.201-204

Wolfgram, L. J., and Quinn, A.O.L., (2012). Integrating Simulation Innovatively: Evidence

in Teaching in Nursing Education. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 8(5), pp.e169-

e175.

Westberg, J., & Jason, H. (2001). Fostering reflection and providing feedback. New York,

NY: Springer.

Zerwekh, J., & Claborn, J. (2006). Nursing today: Transition and trends. St. Louis, MO:

Saunders.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (Great Britain). (n.d.). Nursing and Midwifery Council: NMC. Place of

publication not identified: Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Bastable, S. B. (2017). Nurse as educator: principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice.

Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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