Free Essay On Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Introduction: The Selected Artifacts

There are various ways of establishing whether someone is pregnant or not. It comes in handy to any particular nurse to have the necessary skills in this sector (Ackley, Ladwig 2010). I mainly choose to major on signs and symptoms of pregnancy as one of the physical way of establishing that someone is pregnant. I will face many patients complaining of not feeling well, and some sicknesses are usually signs of one being pregnant. It is very relevant that I do have these skills of establishing whether someone is pregnant or not so as not prescribe that particular individual to drugs yet in the real sense she is pregnant.

Newborn screening

It is a public health procedure that has been established to evaluate the infants immediately after birth for a list of conditions that may be treated. The entire program of screening is run by the state with a goal of ensuring that newborns are healthy thus prolonging their life expectancy rate. This particular artifact is usually carried out by nurses at various medical centers. As a qualified nurse, it will be of great importance I have these set of skills in order to do my job appropriately. It is evident that most deaths at infant stage are as a result of the newborn not being evaluated properly. By knowing such procedures, then it means that the whole job function of a nurse will be routine practice for me.

New born immunization

Regions with high child mortality rate typically experience cases of not being able to immunize infants properly. It is common sense that the baby is at risk for the period immediately after birth Brown (2014). As a nurse, I will have to advice the young mother on ways in which she should adapt a proper immunization schedule so as to ensure that her child has received all the required immunization. Once the mother is well aware of the dangers her baby faces if not adequately immunized then she would ensure that necessary actions have been taken so as to protect her child.

Day 4 infant feeding and sleeping

After birth explicit care is required to be administered to any child. The two critical aspects that require careful examination are infant feeding and sleeping. It is very relevant that I as a nurse to be able to examine the child at this stage. I would have to ask the young mother questions regarding how the baby has been sleeping and the feeding pattern Singh (2012). Normally there are clear guidelines as to how a four day old infant feeds. If I realize that there is a deviation from the accepted way, then it indicates a problem exists with the baby. Also, the way an infant sleeps will indicate whether there is a problem with the child. Normally there is the accepted sleeping pattern that I as the nurse know such that any deviation is an indication of a problem

Postnatal depression

It is a kind of depression that some women experience after having a baby. It mostly occurs in adolescents who have babies at a younger age. The symptoms that I as a nurse need to look for are such as low mood, difficulty in sleeping and feeling unable to cope. The symptoms need to be differentiated from the baby blues which generally clears up after a few weeks.

Nutrition of adolescent mother

It is crucial that any particular teenage mother gets all the relevant knowledge of who best to get necessary nutrients. It is because any effect to the mother will be faced by the infant. It is necessary that I as the nurse explain to the teenage mother on ways of ensuring that she gets all the nutrients that she requires.

Evaluation of the Portfolio Artifact Content Above

Evidence-based nursing is an approach to making relevant and quality decisions in the process of nursing care. It is based on clinical expertise as well as the current and relevant available to the topic. It implements the most up to date methods of providing care. Below is the critical examination of the artifacts that do form up portfolio of my study;

Critical evaluation of signs and symptoms as a guide to evidence-based nursing

It is necessary that as a nurse I am able to examine teenage girls with the possibility of being pregnant. Signs and symptoms are a critical component of my portfolio in understanding the nursing industry appropriately. It is very necessary that adolescent girls be advised on proper pregnancy undertakings; this can only be achieved by being able to establish their pregnancy at an earlier stage. Below are the ways that I as a nurse will use in order to determine that a particular adolescent individual is pregnant:
Shortness of breath; when a patient confirms that she frequently gets shortness of breath then that is a clear indicator of pregnancy Rodgers (2005). The maturing fetus inside her also requires oxygen therefore it may be using much of the oxygen leaving her with little amounts. All this occurs at the point where the developing baby starts to pile pressure on the lungsSore breast; another indicator of pregnancy is the sore breast. When a patient particularly adolescent complains of a sore breast, then there is an indication of being pregnant.as a nurse check whether her areola is darkening or if her veins are pronounced on her chest Di Censo (2005). The appropriate advice that I as a therapist need to give such ladies experiencing this discomfort is that they need to wear their most supportive bra to bed.
Fatigue; after critical examinations of a patient you realize that she is complaining of constant fatigue, and then this is an indication of pregnancy. It is based on the nursing knowledge that a pregnant lady has increasing hormones in the body. It shows that the fatigue may be as a result of body reaction to the changes in hormones. For many women, tiredness is experienced through the first trimester but then stops in the second.
Nausea; most ladies commonly experience nausea when they are about six weeks pregnant. When a patient complains of feeling nausea, then it’s an indication of being pregnant, therefore, extra observations need to be done on them to establish whether or not they are pregnant. As a nurse, the best advice to any individual experiencing this is through eating food that will settle your stomach.
Frequent urination; if the patient suddenly complains of being unable to sleep without a trip to the loo then it’s an indication of pregnancy. Frequently the nursing education state that a pregnant woman produces more fluids, therefore, their bladder is working overtime.
Dizziness or fainting; this is a reality because of low blood sugar or pressure that usually cause woozy episodes. If a patient complaints of frequent instances of feeling dizzy then it’s an indication that she is pregnant (Judd, Sitzman&Davis2010). As an expert then this is an indicator on someone being pregnant.
Backaches; a woman who does not have any back problem from the past complains of having back pains is a clear indication that she is pregnant. It means that the ligaments are adjusting for the future weight gain that will start to pile up. As a professional nurse, this condition is evidence that forms a basis of confirming that someone is pregnant.

Critical evaluation of Newborn screening as a guide to evidence-based nursing

Newborn screening is a key factor in my portfolio as a nurse. There is need to evaluate the newborn in order to establish factors that may cause harm to the child. The following are the necessary procedures that need to be followed to examine an infant fully; a head to toe assessment is to be conducted Ackley (2008). It is, therefore, a requirement that I as a nurse be able to observe the baby properly. Normally within the first week a baby does lose weight; therefore if I am presented with such a scenario I need not raise an alarm of concern. The baby should also be growing as days go by, therefore, any redundancy should be a reason for me to be concerned with the health of the infant. The infant should not also be dormant while still young, instead show signs of reflexes. Examination need also to be done on the feeding, eyes, hydration of the baby, these will indicate whether there is any abnormally. In our case study for example, I as the nurse need to examine Jarad in the day four post birth.

Evaluation of Newborn immunization as a guide to evidence-based nursing

Evidence-based nursing provides for the necessary steps in ensuring that the infant gets all the necessary immunization so as to prevent future health complications. Education entailing immunization needs to be given to the mother. It is the mother’s responsibility parent to ensure that the mother has all the required information regarding immunization. The Australian immunization schedule needs to be introduced to the mother by the nurse (Lally, Mangione & Greenwald 2006). Health discussions regarding the side effects and myths reported is to be done by the nurse and the mother. The benefits of immunization need also to be presented to the mother. When all this has been given to the mother, then it means that the child is safe thus lowering the mortality rate.

Evaluation of Day 4 infant feeding and sleeping as a guide to evidence-based nursing

Evidence-based nursing provides that a four day old baby will feed on demand. Therefore, the child should be the one demanding to be fed. In our case study, there seems to be a problem since it’s the mother that feeds the child without the child showing any form of hunger. As a nurse, this is an indication that there seems to be a problem with the child, and thus necessary evaluation need to be done. The stomach of newborns are usually small, therefore, feeding will regularly be done Liamputtong (2007). The appropriate way that a child shows hunger is through crying. Frequently mothers are advised to Brest feed their new born. In terms of sleeping pattern the newborn is expected to be sleeping for around 16hours a day. In our case study there seem to be a problem because the baby sleeps fewer hours thus as a nurse I will have to examine the baby further.

Evaluation of Postnatal depression as a guide to evidence-based nursing

Some women do experience depression after giving birth (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. 2007). Postnatal depression should be differentiated from baby blues. Evidence-based nursing provide that baby blues generally clear after a few weeks while postnatal depression usually appear some months after the child has been born. It is necessary that I as the nurse explain to the adolescent mother in the ways in which she can suppress such depressions. It is important that the mother is stress-free so as her health and that of the baby is in the best state.

Evaluation of Nutrition of adolescent mother as a guide on evidence-based nursing

It of importance that the nutrition administered to a teenage mother is at the best state. It is so because her body has not developed well and that the baby will demand more from her. As a nurse, for continued development, I will advise the mother on healthy food choices. It may mean the need for supplements to the mother to ensure sustained growth for her and the baby.

Conclusion

The portfolio above represents students in the nursing industry is equipped with the relevant skills aimed at ensuring that they administer the best health services. The information above would help guide the evidence-based nursing such that the findings above can be used to medical conditions of infants. From the results in my paper, a nurse may use the characteristics depicted by the baby or the mother in determining whether there are any medical complications.

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2010). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care. London: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Ackley, B. J. (2008). Evidence-based nursing care guidelines: Medical-surgical interventions. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby/Elsevier.
Brown, S. J. (2014). Evidence-based nursing: The research-practice connection. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
DiCenso, A. (2005). Evidence-based nursing: A guide to clinical practice. St. Louis, Mo. ;London: Mosby.
Judd, D. M., Sitzman, K., & Davis, M. (2010). A history of American nursing: Trends and eras. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Lally, J. R., Mangione, P. L., & Greenwald, D. (2006). Concepts for care: 20 essays on infant/toddler development and learning. San Francisco, CA: WestEd.
Liamputtong, P. (2007). Childrearing and infant care issues: A cross-cultural perspective. New York: Nova Science Publ.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2007). Best practices: Evidence-based nursing procedures. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Rodgers, B. L. (2005). Developing nursing knowledge: Philosophical traditions and influences. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Singh, N. R. (2012). Nursing: The ultimate study guide. New York: Springer.