Question

Which of the following statements made by a nurse regarding personal reflection related to client care requires follow-up by the unit's nurse manager?

1. Mary and I were comparing foot wound dressing techniques.
2. I've been caring for orthopedic clients for 10 years and I think I've seen it all.
3. I can't believe that my client isn't improving after 2 weeks of physical therapy.
4. I always wean my orthopedic surgery clients onto oral pain medication on postoperative day 4.

Answer 1

The nurse's statement about her long experience and perception that she has 'seen it all' suggests complacency and may indicate a need for continuous learning and reflection on practice to ensure quality patient care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement by a nurse that requires follow-up by the unit's nurse manager is: "I've been caring for orthopedic clients for 10 years and I think I've seen it all." This statement implies a level of complacency and overconfidence that could lead to missed changes in a patient's condition or neglect of new evidence-based practices. It is essential for healthcare providers to continuously engage in personal reflection and education in order to provide the highest quality of care to clients. Comparing wound dressing techniques or expressing concern that a client isn't improving as expected encourages collaborative learning and client-focused care, which are positive. However, a standardized approach to pain medication, as stated in the fourth option, might not take individual patient needs into account and should also be evaluated for its appropriateness in evidence-based practice.