Jennifer Goodlet

BSN346-02
Gas exchange journal reflection
VCBC 02/02/2022 8 am to 12

 1.What concepts do you think are important in this scenario and why?
A. Perfusion is an essential concept in Eden scenario due to her viral infection of
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), that cause inflammation of the small
airways that carry oxygen to the lungs as evident by her expiratory wheezing
and use of accessory muscles. Eden’s impaired gas exchange is affecting her
perfusion by inhibiting the ability of the blood to transfer oxygen, nutrients
throughout her body and return carbon dioxide back to her lungs more
specifically her alveoli (Giddens, 2017). The physiological evidence of this in
Eden’s situation is the hyperthermic state (101F) with increased respirations that is
causing her body not to be in homeostasis.
B. Nutrition is another interrelated concept to Eden’s scenario due to her body’s
ability to maintain the strength to fight off the viral infection (RSV). Nutrition is
the body’s energy source. In Eden’s scenario she is a breastfeed three-
month-old that obtains most of nutrients through the breastmilk, which the
mothers have reported that the number of times she eats has decreased and
has become more difficult to get her to feed. The nutrition process effects
your metabolic processes that play a huge role in determining the amount of
oxygen needed and the amount of carbon dioxide to exhale to maintain
homeostasis (Giddens, 2017). Eden’s increased respirations is causing her
body to use more energy with less nutrients due to her loss of appetite.
2. What abnormal signs and symptoms did you recognize and how did you prioritize
your care of this patient?
A. The first abnormal sign that I recognize was the labored breathing, increased
respirations and physical retractions or use of accessory muscle to breath in Eden’s
scenario. I prioritize by the understanding the concepts of the ABC’s, airway, breathing
and circulation. Eden’s airway was obstructed by mucus and is the caused of her ability
to allow adequate oxygen in and is affecting her gas exchange by her alveoli in her
lungs.
B. Upon inspection of the nasal cavities I further assessed that they were
bilaterally red with swollen turbinate’s and had excessive mucus. This assessment lead
to me to realize that the mothers had told me during the interview that they had tried to
use the suction bulb with no positive results. Eden’s nasal cavities lead me to believe
that Jennifer and Vivian the mothers needed more education on how to properly use the
suction bulb to remove mucus form Eden’s nasal cavities without causing irritation to
her turbinates.
3. How would you change your actions or interventions if you had a second chance to
care for this patient?
Providing nutritional information to mother’s intake to increase baby nutrients
postions
Jennifer Goodlet
BSN346-02
Gas exchange journal reflection
VCBC 02/02/2022 8 am to 12
4. How would you apply what you have learned from this scenario to future patients?

References

Giddens, J. (2017). Concepts for Nursing Practice (with Pageburst Digital Book Access on VST).

Elsevier Gezondheidszorg.