Clinical Reflection Paper

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The wound that I observed at clinical was a diabetic ulcer. It was located on the patient’s left hallux. The main factors that placed the patient at risk for developing this ulcer was diabetes mellitus and having a history for smoking for 30 consecutive years. The patient stated that his history of diabetes and smoking has led to him having poor circulation in his legs and feet. Another factor that could have influenced the development of his ulcer is immobility due to an amputation. His right leg was amputated due to complications from diabetes. This patient was not the one I was assigned to for the day, so I was unable to get his full background and lifestyle information. If he had poor nutrition, that would be a contributing factor as well. …show more content…

This article describes ostomy care for patients in palliative and hospital settings provided by wound ostomy continence nurses (WOCN). It discusses challenges of ostomy care, which includes progressive changes that affect the capability of patients with a stoma to provide self-care, due to vision, motor, sensory, cognitive, and sensory deficits. The article also addresses possible peristomal complications of ostomies and how to assess them such as caput medusa, mucocutaneous separation, and abdominal plane. The WOCN must also take into consideration that the absorption of medication may affect electrolyte balances in the body. Based on this article, I would consider becoming a WOCN. This seems like it is a challenging area of nursing to go into, yet it would be rewarding. Patients with ostomies need a lot of education in regards how to care for it, and I do enjoy teaching patients. I do not have a sensitive stomach when it comes to wounds and ostomies. I did care for a patient that had a relatively new ostomy last semester in clinical and the gratitude that the patient showed for being so patient and understanding made it worthwhile. The URL for this article

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