Coursework 1: Nursing in Practice (learning disability)
Assignment brief: Essay
Learning outcomes (to be demonstrated by the essay)
Illustrate systematic understanding of nursing knowledge and skills required to effectively assess and prioritise individual care needs
Critically analyse and evaluate clinical reasoning and decision making to inform evidence based practice
Assessment
This assessment is: 70% weighting for the final module mark.
You are required to write a 2000 word essay that provides reflection and deconstruction of the clinical reasoning and care prioritisation process undertaken via an individual case study.
Your reflection and deconstruction of the clinical reasoning and care prioritisation process will be based on the case study provided below. This has been adapted from a case study discussed by Moulster, Lorizzo, Ames and Kernohan (2019).
Case study
The context is an initial assessment following referral to the community learning disability nursing team.
Joseph is a 68-year-old man who is described as having a moderate learning disability. He has brittle asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He lives in supported housing and is assigned six hours per day support. Four years ago, he retired from his job working in a local supermarket. Since then he has become reluctant to go out. He has been refusing to see his GP or the practice nurse and his support staff are suggesting he needs more care than they can give, saying he should be moved to a nursing home.
Initial assessment:
Joseph has lived in supported housing for 17 years.
He has brittle asthma and COPD.
He has sores on both his legs that are infected.
He has put on weight, has laboured breathing and appears to struggle with walking.
He appears withdrawn and angry.
Joseph self-administers his own asthma medication without supervision.
Joseph has no contact with any family members.
Priorities identified:
Physical health assessment
Manage risks
Promote person-centred care
Guidance
In reflecting on and deconstructions the decision making process that may have led to the priorities identified, you may argue that other issues should have been prioritised. These reflections can form part of your arguments and the development of the critical evaluation of this process. You can question, with reference to theory and evidence, why the particular priorities identified could/should be different, and how and why such priorities might have been decided on.
Illustrative examples (anonymous) can be used from your own practice experience as a student nurse. The work should adhere to usual legal, ethical and professional principles and no person or organisation should be identified.
The essay will be assessed using level 7 criteria. You must achieve at least 50% to pass this assignment.