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HEALTH EMERGENCY IN GAZA

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HEALTH EMERGENCY IN GAZA
Palestinian doctor Marwan Abu Sada works in Shifa hospital in Gaza City May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

What is the current situation in Gaza?

As of October 24, 2023, the situation in Gaza remains dire:

1. Civilian Casualties: More than two weeks of relentless bombardments have resulted in a death toll of 5,791 in the Gaza Strip, including 2,360 children. Numerous bodies are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

2. Housing Destruction: Approximately 43% of all housing units in Gaza have been either destroyed or damaged since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

3. Targeted Infrastructure: Schools, hospitals, and mosques, often used as shelters or places for medical treatment, are being bombed.

4. Critical Shortages: Fuel, food, and water are running critically low. Many bakeries have shut down due to lack of fuel, leading to food rationing. Water availability has drastically reduced to about three litres per person per day, far below the WHO-recommended 100 litres.

5. Health Risks: People are resorting to unsafe water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Medicine shortages and poor sanitation conditions have led to reported cases of diseases like chickenpox, scabies, and diarrhoea.

6. Fear and Panic: Civilians in Gaza live in constant fear and panic, especially children whose mental health and wellbeing are severely impacted by the ongoing violence.

7. Forced Displacement: On October 13, the Israeli army ordered over 1 million people, half the population, to leave northern Gaza within 24 hours, a move considered forcible transfer and illegal under international law.

8. Displacement Crisis: Approximately 1.4 million people are displaced, with over 580,000 seeking refuge in UN-run emergency shelters, facing increasingly dire conditions.

9. No Safe Zones: Despite assurances of safety in the south, Israel continues to attack areas with high civilian populations like Khan Younis and Rafah, leaving nowhere truly safe in Gaza.

10. Siege Continues: Israel’s blockade on Gaza persists, severely limiting the entry of aid. Although the Rafah crossing has opened partially, the number of aid trucks falls far short of what is needed. Fuel remains excluded from the items allowed into Gaza.

NRC Response:

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is providing emergency cash assistance to help people purchase essential supplies. Additionally, NRC is prepared to offer further aid, including shelter, psychological support for children, and water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies.

Demands: NRC, alongside other humanitarian organizations, calls for:

1. Cessation of Hostilities: Immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent further civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Humanitarian pauses are crucial to allow aid delivery and pave the way for a lasting ceasefire.

2. End of Siege: Lift the siege on Gaza. Essential resources like water, food, and medicine are running out. The deliberate deprivation of these necessities constitutes a grave humanitarian crisis. Dehydration and waterborne diseases pose significant threats, especially to children drinking contaminated water.

3. Civilian Protection: Protect civilians. Continued airstrikes, even in densely populated areas, exacerbate the risks faced by Gazan residents. Israel must prioritize civilian safety.

4. Hostage Release: Release all hostages held by armed groups in Gaza, including hundreds of Israeli civilians. They are powerless in this conflict and should be freed unconditionally.

5. Adherence to International Law: Uphold international humanitarian law, particularly concerning civilian protection, in the conflict. The international community must advocate for these laws’ strict adherence.

6. Rafah Crossing Access: Keep the Rafah crossing open and increase the flow of life-saving aid into Gaza. Israel must not use the basic survival needs of Gazans as bargaining chips. Introduce humanitarian corridors to ensure aid reaches those in need.

Source: NRC media

WOUND ASSESSMENT – NMC OSCE, CLINICAL

WOUND ASSESSMENT – NMC OSCE, CLINICAL
  • Preparation and Introduction:
  • Ensure scene safety and privacy.
  • Practice hand hygiene if necessary.
  • Introduce yourself to the patient, state the purpose of your visit, and gain consent.
  • Patient Comfort and Pain Assessment:
  • Check if the patient is comfortable and assess their pain level.
  • Dressing Removal and Examination:
  • Explain the wound assessment process.
  • Remove any dressing covering the wound.
  • Assessment of Wound Area:
  • Look for erythema (redness) around the wound.
  • Describe the area around the wound, noting any oedema, scaliness, lesions, excoriation, maceration, or dryness.
  • Exudate Examination:
  • Describe any exudate, such as purulent, hemoserous, serous discharges, or offensive odour.
  • Closure and Wound Bed Examination:
  • Assess the closure of the wound, noting if it’s well closed or broken.
  • Evaluate the condition of the wound bed, including its colour, presence of sloughy or necrotizing tissue, and epithelization status.
  • Tenderness and Pain Assessment:
  • Examine for tenderness and assess any pain experienced by the patient.
  • Conclusion and Further Action:
  • Conclude about the wound condition and state your awareness of the need to collect a swab if necessary.
  • Mention sending the sample to the lab and referring the patient to the medical team for further evaluation and treatment.
  • Provide health education as needed.
  • Patient Comfort and Communication:
  • Reiterate the importance of the patient’s comfort and their ability to use the call bell if needed.
  • Address any concerns the patient may have.
  • Hand Hygiene and Conclusion:
  • Remove apron and gloves
  • Practice hand hygiene again.
  • Conclude by stating that you’ve completed the procedure, discarded used items according to hospital policy, documented as per NMC guidelines, and ensured the patient’s comfort.

ROLEPLAY

Nurse: I enter the room, looking for scene safety, and confirm that the scene is safe for me to approach my patient.

Nurse: I ensure privacy and dignity by closing the doors and drawing the curtains.

Nurse: I perform hand hygiene using hand rub, following the 7 steps of WHO.

Nurse: “Good morning, my name is Isaac Makponga, and I am a registered nurse here. I’m here to assess your wound at the surgical site. Is it the best time to proceed?”

Patient: “Yes, you can.”

Nurse: “What is your name and how may I call you?”

Patient: “My name is Elizabeth; you can call me Lizzy.”

Nurse: “Lizzy, do you have any pain?”

Elizabeth: “Yes.”

Nurse: “Could you please score it between 0 (the least) and 10 (the worst)?”

Elizabeth: “It’s 3.”

Nurse: “Oh, it’s mild. Do you need medication?”

Elizabeth: “No, I don’t. Thank you.”

Nurse: “Are you in a comfortable position?”

Elizabeth: “Yes, I am.”

Nurse: “Can I proceed with your wound assessment?”

Elizabeth: “Yes.”

Nurse: “(I perform hand rub, wear apron & gloves) Can I expose your wound?”

Elizabeth: “Yes.”

Nurse: “Are you okay for me to proceed?”

Elizabeth: “Yes.”

(Nurse removes old dressing prior to the assessment) “

Look for erythema around the wound

Nurse: “I can see mild redness around the wound.”

Describe the area around the wound

Nurse: “I confirm that the wound and its surrounding area look healthy. There is no oedema, excoriation, maceration, dryness, or scaliness around the wound.”

Describe any exudate

Nurse: I can confirm that there is no haemo-serous, serous or purulent discharge or any offensive odour from the wound

Describe the defect of the wound closure

Nurse: “I don’t see any defect in the wound closure; this wound is closing properly.”

Describe the condition of the wound floor

Nurse: “The wound bed appears pink in colour, indicating it is in the healing stage. It is epithelializing properly without any granulation, necrotizing, or sloughy tissue.”

Enquire about pain or tenderness on the wound

Nurse: “Lizzy, do you have any pain or tenderness when I am touching the wound?”

Elizabeth: “No, I am alright.”

Nurse: “So overall, the wound looks healthy. If any abnormality occurs, I will collect the wound swab and send it to the lab. The report will be escalated to the medical team.”

Elizabeth: “Ok.”

Nurse: “Lizzy, are you comfortable?”

Elizabeth: “Yes.”

Nurse: “Do you need anything before I leave?”

Elizabeth: “No.”

Nurse: “Excellent. If you require anything, please call me by pressing the buzzer.”

Elizabeth: “Ok.”

Nurse: “Remove the gloves and apron. Perform hand rub.”

Nurse: “Assessor, I have conducted a wound assessment for Ms. Lizzy. Now, I will document all the findings and discard the waste according to the NMC guidelines and policies.”

PROFESIONAL VALUES – NMC, SOCIAL MEDIA

PROFESIONAL VALUES – NMC, SOCIAL MEDIA

In the given situation, where a colleague has posted confidential information or pictures on social media, my course of action would be as follows: I will;

– Recognize that sharing sensitive information or posting pictures of patients/people receiving care without their consent is inappropriate.

– Understand my responsibility to report any safety concerns regarding public well-being or patient care. Failure to report such concerns could jeopardize my fitness to practice and put my registration at risk.

– Acknowledge that engaging with or commenting on someone else’s post can be perceived as endorsing or supporting their viewpoint.

– Approach my manager at the earliest suitable opportunity, either verbally or in writing, to raise my concerns.

– Document the incident by completing an incident report, outlining the events and the steps taken to address the issue, including the date and the person with whom the concern was shared.

– Adhere to the standards and values outlined in the NMC code, ensuring ethical conduct and professionalism in my actions.

THE DARK SIDE OF SKILLED WORKER VISAS IN THE UK

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THE DARK SIDE OF SKILLED WORKER VISAS IN THE UK

In a report from Sky News, one woman from Nigeria informed Sky News that she had paid £10,000 to an “agent” for a skilled worker visa with the promise of employment in the UK, only to discover that the job did not actually exist. She expressed, “I should be in a position to provide assistance, not to receive aid.” She shared this emotionally charged revelation anonymously in the narrow corridor of a food bank and is now in a state of destitution despite the initial promise of employment in Britain.

Using the pseudonym Blessing, she recounted her arrival in the UK three months ago, explaining that she had given £10,000 to an individual she referred to as an “agent” in Nigeria to secure a job as a carer in the UK. However, upon her arrival, she realized that no job was available for her. Her experience is just one example of a larger issue highlighted in a Sky News investigation earlier this year, which uncovered the exploitation of the skilled worker visa system, with intermediaries allegedly receiving substantial payments to arrange non-existent carer positions in the UK. Many individuals who are unable to find work are now struggling to survive and are turning to food banks, and some are even sleeping rough.

Blessing now relies on handouts from a food bank located in a Nigerian Community Centre in Greater Manchester. There, she receives a shopping bag containing basic supplies, and the shelves are filled with donations of bread, cereal, tinned tomatoes, and familiar African items like palm oil and beans. Blessing expressed her dissatisfaction with this situation, stating, “I’ve always provided for myself. I’m a very hard-working, diligent person. So for me to be here depending on people to eat and coming to the food bank to get food isn’t okay with me. I don’t feel happy about it. It makes me feel I’m less of a person. I should be in a position to help, not to receive aid because this is not who I was back in my country.”

She also explained that she refrained from making the visa application herself due to the prevalence of internet fraud in Nigeria, which made it difficult to discern legitimate opportunities. She added with a sense of irony, “It makes me feel as though I’m a fool.”

Blessing revealed that she is aware of others who have skilled worker visas but encountered the same issue of non-existent job opportunities upon arrival in the UK. She described it as a widespread problem, saying, “There are so many. Dozens. I met a lot here, and so many are still coming after I’ve come. There’s a big scam going on.”

Mary Adekugbe, the founder of the Nigerian Community Centre in Rochdale, expressed concern about the increasing number of individuals with skilled worker visas seeking support, describing it as a shameful situation. She noted that about 15 out of 35-40 people who typically visit the weekly food bank have skilled worker visas and emphasized that they are overwhelmed and worried about the desperation of these individuals.

The report also shared stories of others who have fallen victim to similar circumstances, such as a woman who is now homeless and living on a bus after paying an agent in Nigeria for a non-existent care work opportunity in the UK.

Additionally, the report highlighted the strain on communities where individuals are willing to accept jobs below the minimum wage, potentially displacing local employees. It also mentioned concerns about unrealistic expectations of life in the UK among those seeking skilled worker visas.

In response, the Home Office emphasized its commitment to preventing abuse of the immigration system and stated that it has robust measures in place to ensure compliance, including taking decisive action against employers who break the rules, including revoking sponsor licenses when necessary.

Source: Sky News

INJECTION PROCEDURE – NMC Osce Clinical Station

INJECTION PROCEDURE – NMC Osce Clinical Station

SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

Entering the patient’s room, ensuring the safety of the surroundings before proceeding.

Nurse (N): Hello, I’m your attending nurse today. Can you please tell me your name? and how may I call you?

Patient (P): My name is John Smith. You can call me Smith

N: Thank you, Mr. Smith. And can you confirm your date of birth?

P: Sure, it’s January 15, 1965.

N: Great, I see your ID band matches the information you provided—your name, date of birth, and hospital number. Assessor please I can confirm, I am with the right patient. Now, I’m here to administer your insulin injection. Have you taken insulin before?

P: Yes, I have. I usually take it in my abdomen.

N: Alright, Mr. Smith. Do you remember when you last took insulin, and is there a specific spot you’d prefer for the injection this time?

P: I took it yesterday, and you can give it in my abdomen again.

N: Perfect. Before we proceed, let’s check the injection site for any signs of infection, inflammation, or lesions. And I will make sure I inject at least 2-3 cm away from the previous injection site. Also, can you recall your last recorded blood sugar level?

Assessor: The last reading was 9.8 mmol/L.

N: Thank you for sharing, that’s above the normal level. Your meal is on its way because insulin is administered before eating, usually about 30 minutes prior. Are you currently experiencing any pain? If so, could you rate it on a scale of 1 to 10?

P: No, I’m not in any pain.

N: Good to know. Do you have any allergies we should be aware of?

P: No allergies.

N: Alright, Mr. Smith, this procedure will take approximately 15 minutes. Would you like to use the restroom before we begin? Are you comfortable in your current position?

P: I’m fine, and I don’t need to use the restroom.

N: Very well. I’ll now gather the necessary supplies for your injection. Please don’t hesitate to call me or use the call bell if you require any assistance. I’m here to help.

[The nurse assembles the required items.]

N: I’ve completed the hand rub, put on an apron and gloves. I’ll confirm with the examiner whether the tray has been cleaned with soap and water in the past 24 hours.

[The nurse proceeds to clean the tray with alcohol wipe.]

N: The tray has been cleaned and dried, so I’ll remove the apron and gloves and perform proper hand washing following the seven steps recommended by the World Health Organization.

N: The tray is now dry, and I’ll put on an apron and read aloud the prescription, verifying the drug, dose, route, date, time, doctor’s name and signature, and bleep number. It all appears correct.

N: I’ll take the insulin, confirming that there’s no precipitate, not lumpy and it is not frosted, and it’s within the expiry date. I’ll call out the date and batch number as mentioned in the prescription.

[The nurse continues to assemble the articles.] here is alcohol wipes intact and in date, my insulin syringe intact and in date, sterile gauze intact and in date and a sharp container which is not filled more than 1/3 of the volume

N: I’ve loaded the insulin into the syringe, ensuring there are no air bubbles. I’ll keep the medicine ampule in the tray. Now, I’ll change the loading needle to the administration needle (if not insulin syringe) and dispose of the loading needle safely into the sharp bin.

[The nurse proceeds to the patient.]

N: After performing a hand rub, I’ll confirm your identity once again, can you tell me your name and date of birth. Are you comfortable proceeding with the injection?

P: Yes, my name is John Smith and DoB is January 15, 1965. Please go ahead.

N: Ok, I got the right patient

N: Alright, may I uncover your abdomen? (Expose the area) Assessor, I can verify that there are no indications of redness, swelling, infection, or any skin issues at the injection site. Next, I’ll cleanse the area with a 70% alcohol wipe for 30 seconds and wait for an additional 30 seconds for it to dry. I’m ready to proceed. Smith, this will only take a few moments. I’m going to gently pinch your skin and insert the needle, is that okay with you? Alright, you’ll feel a sharp scratch as I insert the needle. Now, I’ll slowly administer the medication over 10-30 seconds and then swiftly remove the needle. I’ll place a sterile gauze here and dispose of the syringe in the sharps container. Okay, Smith, I’ve completed the insulin dose administration. I’ll ensure your meal is on its way; it should arrive within the next 30 minutes. Are you feeling comfortable now? Is there anything you need before I leave? Call me or use the call bell when you need me

P: No, thank you

N: I’ll clean the tray (if it’s not disposable) and prepare it for future use.

N: I’ll document that you received insulin subcutaneously in the specified units, noting the date and time and sign

N: Let’s open the curtains for you.

[The nurse performs hand washing or hand rub before leaving the room.]

N: Assessor, please I have finished the administration of subcutaneous/intramuscular injection to Mr. Smith. Thank you.

IN CASE OF AN IM INJECTION (note the following;)

N: If we were administering an IM injection, two needles needed. Loading and administering needles, we would use an administering needle to check for blood aspiration before giving the injection at the dorsogluteal muscles, wipe the injection site for 30 seconds, and let it dry for another 30 seconds.

N: We’d spread the site using two fingers, hold the syringe like a dart, and administer the injection at a 90-degree angle leaving 1 cm of the needle out. Depress the plunger at least 1 ml every 10 sec. apply small gauze and plaster on the punctured site.

N: Before giving the injection, we’d also inform you of the medication’s use and possible side effects, ensuring your full understanding.

N: Lastly, double-check patient’s identity to ensure his safety.

Explaining the Mental Capacity Act and DOLS to Fran

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Explaining the Mental Capacity Act and DOLS to Fran
Level 5 Mental Health Care - MCA and DOLS

Registered Nurse (RN): Good morning, Fran. I hope you’re feeling comfortable today. I wanted to talk to you about something important regarding your care. Have you heard of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)?

Fran: Good morning. Yes, I’ve heard of them, but I’m not quite sure what they mean.

RN: That’s okay, Fran. I’ll explain. The Mental Capacity Act, or MCA for short, is a set of laws that helps protect your rights when you might not be able to make decisions about your care due to a medical condition or other reasons. It starts with the idea that everyone is presumed to have the capacity to make their own decisions unless proven otherwise.

Fran: So, even if I have a health issue, they still think I can make decisions?

RN: That’s right, Fran. They’ll assess your capacity for each decision separately. If you can’t make a particular decision, they’ll make it in your best interests, considering your wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values.

Fran: That makes sense. But what about DOLS?

RN: Great question, Fran. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, or DOLS, is a part of the MCA. It comes into play if there’s a need to restrict your freedom or liberty, like using restraints or confining you for your safety or others. DOLS ensures that any such restriction is lawful, necessary, and fair.

Fran: How do they decide if it’s necessary and fair?

RN: Well, they’ll assess your situation and make sure it’s the least restrictive option while still keeping you and others safe. There’s regular review too, to check if the restriction is still needed. You also have the right to have an independent advocate, someone who looks out for your interests.

Fran: That’s reassuring. And what if I or my family disagree with a decision?

RN: You have the right to challenge any decision made under DOLS through legal means. The goal is to protect your rights while ensuring your safety and well-being.

Fran: Thank you for explaining all of this. It helps me understand my rights better.

RN: You’re welcome, Fran. It’s important that you know your rights and feel empowered to make decisions about your care. If you ever have more questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to support you.

MENTAL CAPACITY ACT (MCA) AND DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY SAFEGUARDS (DOLS)

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MCA (Mental Capacity Act) and DOLS (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) are legal frameworks in the United Kingdom that are designed to protect the rights and interests of individuals who may lack the mental capacity to make decisions about their care and treatment, especially in the context of healthcare. These frameworks are particularly relevant in situations involving vulnerable individuals, such as those with dementia, learning disabilities, or other cognitive impairments. Let’s explore each of these concepts in more detail:

1. Mental Capacity Act (MCA):

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is a legal framework that provides a structured approach for making decisions on behalf of individuals who may lack the capacity to make these decisions for themselves. The MCA is applicable in England and Wales and is based on several key principles:

  • Presumption of capacity: The MCA presumes that every adult has the capacity to make decisions unless it can be proven otherwise. This means that just because someone has a cognitive impairment or mental health issue, it does not automatically mean they lack capacity.
  • Best interests: If an individual is assessed as lacking capacity, decisions must be made in their best interests. This requires considering factors such as their wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values, as well as consulting with relevant parties, such as family members and healthcare professionals.
  • Least restrictive option: Any decision or action taken on behalf of someone lacking capacity should be the least restrictive option while still meeting their best interests. This principle emphasizes minimizing any interference with the individual’s rights and freedom.
  • Capacity assessments: Before determining that someone lacks capacity, a thorough assessment must be conducted by healthcare professionals to determine whether the individual can make a specific decision at a particular time.
  • Advance decisions and lasting powers of attorney: The MCA allows individuals to make advance decisions about their future healthcare and appoint a lasting power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf if they lose capacity.

2. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS):

DOLS is a set of safeguards that are part of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). DOLS specifically focuses on situations where an individual may need to be deprived of their liberty for their own safety or the safety of others, particularly in care homes or hospitals. DOLS aims to ensure that any deprivation of liberty is lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Key aspects of DOLS include:

  • Assessment and authorization: If it is deemed necessary to deprive someone of their liberty (e.g., through physical restraints or confinement), a thorough assessment must be conducted to determine whether this is in the person’s best interests. The decision to deprive someone of their liberty must also be authorized by the appropriate authorities.
  • Regular review: DOLS mandates regular reviews to ensure that the deprivation of liberty remains necessary and proportionate. If circumstances change, the individual’s situation should be reassessed, and the deprivation of liberty should be lifted if it is no longer justified.
  • Rights to representation: Individuals who are subject to DOLS have the right to an independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) who can represent their interests and ensure that their rights are upheld.
  • Right to challenge: Individuals or their representatives have the right to challenge decisions made under DOLS through legal channels.

Both MCA and DOLS are designed to strike a balance between protecting vulnerable individuals and respecting their rights and autonomy. These legal frameworks provide a structured and rights-based approach to decision-making for those who may lack capacity and may need to have their liberty restricted in certain circumstances, especially in the context of healthcare.

MID-STREAM SPECIMEN OF URINE, NMC Osce Clinical Station

MID-STREAM SPECIMEN OF URINE, NMC Osce Clinical Station

– Once you’ve identified the patient and introduced yourself, engage in a discussion with them about the procedure and obtain their consent.

– Instruct the individual on how to conduct the MSU (for women, gently separate the labia and cleanse the meatus with soap and water from front to back; for men, retract the foreskin and clean around the meatus). Urinate a small amount and then halt the flow of urine. Position the specimen pot a few centimetres away from the urethra and urinate until the cup is roughly half full.

PROCEDURAL STEPS

– Cleanse your hands using alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water, adhering to WHO guidelines.

– Confirm that all necessary equipment for the procedure is accessible and, if applicable, sterilized (ensuring that packaging is intact, undamaged, and dry, and that sterilization indicators are present on sterilized items, with the appropriate colour change).

– Provide the individual with a clean specimen pot. (The assessor will then pass the sample to the candidate.)

– Put on disposable plastic apron and non-sterile gloves.

– Briefly immerse the reagent strip into the urine for no more than one second.

– Hold the strip at an angle at the container’s edge.

– Wait the specified duration before comparing the strip to the colour chart – verbal description is acceptable.

– Dispose of the equipment appropriately – verbal description is acceptable.

– Use alcohol-based hand rub to cleanse your hands following WHO guidelines – verbal description is acceptable.

– Interpret the potential significance of the findings, offer relevant health information based on the results, and explain the subsequent steps to the individual.

– Accurately record the readings in accordance with the reagent strip guidelines.

SCRIPT ROLEPLAY

Nurse: Hello Catriona, I’m here to collect a urine sample for a urinalysis test. Is now a convenient time for this?

Catriona: Alright.

Nurse: Great, Catriona. For this procedure, you’ll need to use the restroom and collect a urine sample in this container. Can you manage that by yourself?

Catriona: Yes.

Nurse: Perfect. Before you start, please remember to cleanse your meatus by gently washing from front to back after parting your labia with soap and water. Begin urinating a small amount, pause, then hold the specimen container a few centimeters from your urethra. Urinate until the container is about halfway full, and then stop. You can discard the rest. This is how we obtain a midstream urine sample. Is that clear?

Catriona: Yes.

Nurse: Excellent. Here’s your specimen container. Now, I’ll prepare the necessary items for the urinalysis. I have a kidney tray, the Multistix 8SG strips in intact and up-to-date packaging, a tissue paper, and a functioning FOB watch.

Now that I have your midstream urine sample, I’ll take one strip from the container, close it, and open the specimen bottle. I’ll wait for the second hand to reach 12 o’clock for easier timing.

I’ll dip the strip into the specimen and quickly remove it, ensuring no spillage. I’ll place it on the tissue paper and wait for 30 seconds to check for glucose. I’ll also remove my gloves, as I’ve touched the specimen bottle.

After 30 seconds, I found a glucose reading of 2+. At 40 seconds, ketones are negative, and the specific gravity is 1.005. I’ll wait until 60 seconds, during which I’ll note the ketone and specific gravity values.

At 60 seconds, I’ll check for negative results on blood, protein, nitrite, and pH. Then, I’ll wait another minute to check for leucocytes. After 60 seconds, I can confirm that blood, protein, nitrite, and pH are all negative, and the pH level is 5.0. Two minutes have passed, and the leucocytes are also negative.

Hello, Catriona, I have obtained some values from your urinalysis. It indicates a slightly elevated glucose level in your urine. I’ll inform the doctor, who will review the results and provide further guidance. In the meantime, please remember to drink 2-2.5 liters of water daily to stay hydrated and practice regular handwashing.

Catriona: Understood.

Nurse: Great, Catriona. I’ll be nearby for a little while longer. If you need any assistance, simply press the call button, and I’ll come right over.

Assessor, I have completed the midstream urinalysis for Ms. Catriona. Now, I’ll dispose of all waste materials, document the procedures in accordance with NMC guidelines and policies, and clean the tray to prepare it for the next use.

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE – NMC Osce, Pressure Ulcer Prevention

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE – NMC Osce, Pressure Ulcer Prevention

The situation is as follows:

Colin, a patient recovering from laparotomy, has been advised to remain in bed for a few days and has developed a small pressure sore on her sacrum. The Tissue Viability Nurse (TVN) has assessed Colin and recommended the use of foam dressing. Shazia is concerned about the potential worsening of the pressure ulcer and the use of foam dressing. You are tasked with summarizing research findings (Which will be given to you) and providing advice on pressure ulcer prevention. 

ANSWER

I will communicate to Colin that research indicates the application of a specific foam dressing on the sacrum can reduce the risk of pressure ulcer development by approximately 10%. However, it’s important to note that, despite using the dressing, there remains a possibility of a pressure ulcer forming, although it may occur at a later stage.

I will clarify to Colin that the foam dressing, while generally safe, can have a rare side effect of causing mild skin irritation.

I will inform Colin that as a male patient, he might be at a slightly higher risk of developing a pressure sore.

I will stress the significance of regular skin inspections to Colin, frequent changes in position, adequate hydration, and a balanced diet as essential components of pressure ulcer prevention.

Lastly, I will inform Colin about the availability of a foam dressing that can potentially aid in preventing pressure ulcers, and suggest discussing this option further with the tissue viability team.

Don`t copy text!