Can you describe a time when you had to make a judgment call in a patient care situation?

Yes, I can describe a time when I had to make a judgment call in a patient care situation. It was during my clinical rotation at a pediatric hospital. I was assigned to care for a 10-year-old patient who had undergone a minor surgical procedure. After the surgery, the patient complained of severe pain and nausea. Based on my assessment and monitoring of the patient's vital signs, I realized that the pain medication prescribed was not adequate to manage the pain. I consulted with the attending physician and advocated for a change in the medication. The physician agreed with my judgment and adjusted the medication accordingly. The patient's pain and nausea significantly improved, and they were able to rest comfortably. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my assessment skills and advocating for the best interests of the patient.

Certainly! During my time working as a school nurse, there was a situation where a student came to me complaining of a persistent headache and difficulty concentrating in class. Although the student didn't have any visible symptoms of illness, I sensed that something was not right. I utilized my critical thinking skills and decided to measure the student's blood pressure, which was unusually high for their age. Recognizing the potential seriousness of the situation, I contacted the student's parents and asked them to come to the school to discuss the situation further. After consulting with the parents and evaluating the student's medical history, it was revealed that high blood pressure runs in their family. We advised the parents to seek further evaluation from a pediatrician. This judgment call allowed us to identify a potential health concern early on and provided the student with the necessary support and care.

Absolutely! In my previous role as a school nurse, there was an instance where a student with a known severe peanut allergy accidentally ingested a peanut-containing snack. The student immediately began experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing and facial swelling. Understanding the urgency of the situation, I promptly administered the student's prescribed epinephrine auto-injector and called for emergency medical assistance. While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, I reassured the student and closely monitored their vital signs. Additionally, I informed the school administration and the student's parents about the incident and initiated an emergency action plan to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Thanks to my quick judgment and ability to take decisive action, the student received timely medical intervention and recovered fully from the allergic reaction.