Week 2

This week has been quite eventful for me, of particular interest was the case of a 5 year old girl involved in road traffic accident.

After emergency amputation of the left leg below the knee has been done, I was to take her in the ambulance to the radiology department for repeat x-ray. In the ambulance, I was filled with rollercoaster of emotions owing to the fact that I have a ”soft spot” for children but when I realized that my interactions with her at this fragile and sensitive stage will leave a lasting impression, because a 5year old is able to remember events later in life, I had to be brave for her in order to leave a good lasting impression of the nurse that took care of her and also to be able take important decisions if/when the need arise.

I interacted with her, gave her psychological support and reassured her that she is going to be fine. I was able to gain her trust because on getting to the radiology department which was a new environment for her for the x-ray, there was a male orderly whom she did not want to be around her probably due to the trauma she just went through, I politely asked the orderly to excuse us. she was able to feel safe with me being around and I was able to give her a patient-oriented nursing care

Also, when some people came around to the unit to ask about her claiming to be her family because in Africa everybody is ”family”, I did not divulge any information about my patient to them because I have to protect the privacy of my patient and also keep all information confidential, thus, I was able to achieve the goal of my internship pertaining to ethical competence and professionality.