My Clinical Observation Report

My Clinical Observation Report

Background information:

Place:               UCSF Medical Center

Contact:          Kathy Lenihan

Address:          505 Parnassus M344, Box 0214 San Francisco, CA 94143

Phone:             (415)476-1931

Testing:           cardiovascular disease

Date of observation:……………………………….

 

Observations made

The purpose of the tests conducted was to check whether indeed the patient was suffering from a cardiovascular disease. After the confirmation of the above tests, then resuscitation procedures would commence. The patient was a fifty-year-old Caucasian female who had been born and raised in the city of San Francisco. She was from the middle class in terms of status, slim and energetic. The nurses first conducted pre test procedures on the patient. This included changing her attire into proper patient clothing. They then proceeded into asking her questions concerning her lifestyle: her feeding habits, participation in any sporting activities and for how long and the type of work she does. The patient’s response was that she only played squash on weekends walked close to five hundred meters daily and that her job entailed selling flowers.

The doctors then administered medical examinations in order to obtain data concerning the patient’s blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). This data was necessary in revealing the general physical health condition of the patient. The physicians administered an Ankle/Brachial Index on the patient. This test mainly put into comparison the different blood pressures evident in the patient’s ankles with that of her heart. After the different blood pressures of the patient were compared, the patient was then taken to another laboratory room where another doctor performed an ultrasound on the patient. The aim of this ultrasound was to have a visual image of the arterial blood circulation system and check whether there were any infringements to the blood flow due to cholesterol coating on the blood canals. The posttest procedures involved advising the patient on the best way to stay healthy, administering her with the necessary injections and prescribed medicines. The testing observed from the experience was different from that done during class because the one done during class had been purely theoretical. It did not factor in time losses between switching the patient from one laboratory to the other. It did not also factor in mechanical breakdowns and power failures. Some of the doctors did not show any human sympathy while dealing with the patient. This could have been probably due to the “hardening of the heart” because of constant exposure to many life threatening and traumatic cases.

 

Evaluation of the experience

The entire experience was completely educational. It showed the response system of the medical personnel and highlighted on the need for practicing healthy living. The experiences taught on the wideness and depth involved in medical practice. There were specialists in every facets who had mastered their areas. These specialists were consulted whenever the general practitioner failed to make valid conclusions. The highlight of the whole experience was the accuracy involved in taking the measurements and tests using the machines. Technological advancements have made it possible to view internal physiological organs without the necessary need to operate. The assignment would have been made more valuable if there was a briefing on the procedures and tests before the whole experience. This would have ensured better comprehension of the procedures and their objectives