The third day of duty, March 23, 2006:

The new assigned ward was the Male Ward. The male patient was admitted on March 22, 2006. He was diagnosed of Chest Pain with Complication to Gull Bladder Post Operation. The procedure done: transfer of the patient from bed to wheel chair and from wheel chair to bed, brought the patient to the ultra sound room for examination together with patient family members, made several follow-ups in the presence of the doctor who will perform the ultra sound test, and secured wheel chair for transporting of patient to the ultra sound room. As usual, personal care and vital signs taking are routine concerns.
Evaluation for the day:

At first sight of the patient, I was thinking of what disease the patient had for he looked yellowish like one that has hepatitis. Really, I felt hesitant to come near him or to get into contact with the patient. So, after introducing myself and explaining about the purpose of coming, I started asking about the patient chief complaint that brought him to the hospital. The patient said he had an acute chest pain in the past which subjected him for operation for a gull bladder removal last December 19, 2005 and three months thereafter he once again complained about the pain in his chest. the medical findings upon his admission on March 22, 2006 stated that he had concentration of vile secretions in the abdomen which needs to be drained thus a drainage tube is introduced into his abdomen. Upon getting into the depth of the problem, my hesitation towards the patient faded out.

On thing that I planned to do after taking vital signs and every hour follow-up of BP was to clean the area around the drainage tube though there was no doctor's order. I waited for the attending physician to come for his round so that I could ask permission but he did not come. However, the patient spent much time from around 10:20 a.m. to around 12:15 p.m. at the ultra sound room for physical examination. So, there was no enough time if the plan was to be pursued.

As a whole, I felt happy that I am able to make the patient comfortable and safe. Aside from taking of vital signs as standard operating procedure, I am able to assist the patient to turn to his sides, to sit on the side of the bed and to transfer him from the bed to the wheel chair and from the wheel chair back to the bed.