Introduction
Healthcare professionals especially those in the nursing field, apply different types of models in order to execute their roles professionally. These models are beneficial to patients and help to promote code of ethics and patient safety. Thus, a nursing model is a conceptual framework connecting particulars and phenomena, which help nurses to plan quality professional nursing care, examine tribulations related to nursing practice, and finally enable them to make sound judgments regarding nursing practice. To start with, there are so many nursing models. Each model applies differently depending on the type of healthcare service. Of great importance is the fact that nursing models provide a coherent, logical and systematic way of practicing nursing through information collected by nurses. Thus, they act as a milieu for critical manifestation of the hypothesis paramount in nursing practice (Robb, 1997, pp. 93-98).
Roper, Logan and Tierney Model
This particular model commonly applies in nursing practices to provide better healthcare services. For example, as a professional nurse, I do apply the model to my patients to make them regain their health faster. Notably, this particular model has made our healthcare facility an excellent healthcare service provider. Roper, Logan and Tierney model specifies 12 vital activities associated with basic human needs. These include upholding a clean surrounding, communicating, taking meals, inhaling and exhaling, excreting, practicing personal cleanliness, mastering body temperature, expressing sexuality, participating in daily chores, marshalling, resting and dying. Therefore, before implementing this model, we always consider these factors first. Of the twelve activities, the patient’s body temperature is imperative than the rest. For the past one year, Mr. Kelly has been under our healthcare plan as a patient. In the past two weeks, he has been unconscious. This implies that there is a problem with his body temperature, which we have to monitor regularly. The worst part is that Mr. Kelly is not in a position to explain temperature changes in his body. However, with the Roper, Logan and Tierney model, we are able to assess his condition based on the twelve living activities. In most cases, the model requires collaboration of the nurse and the patient but in this scenario, Mr. Kelly’s friends and family members play an imperative role (Roper, Logan & Tierney, 2000, pp. 1-8).
Since our main aim is controlling Mr. Kelly’s body temperature, as nursing staff we must ensure that there is a balance between heat loss and production. For instance, to monitor effectively Mr. Kelly’s body temperature changes, we observe changes in skin color and feel his skin regularly. A damp skin with perspiration is a sign of high body temperature while a bluish tinge skin informs coldness. However, if we find out that Mr. Kelly is feeling cold, we supply him with an extra blanket. On the other hand, if his temperature is high, we install a cooling fan in his room in order to reduce his body temperature. In case of the sudden change in temperature, we take Mr. Kelly’s respiratory and urinary tracts for testing and then come up with the right diagnosis. Moreover, the two specimens assist the nurses in identifying or ruling out the likelihood of chest or urinary tract infection. The reason why we examine these two tracts is that germs can manage to enter the tract when nurses are cathertizing Mr. Kelly. On the other hand, chest infection can occur due to inhalation of herms or bacteria that end up multiplying themselves in the bronchi.
Besides setting the main activity, the Roper, Logan and Tierney model instructs nurses to consider the remaining activities in relation to the patient. For example, the fact that Mr. Kelly becomes unconscious requires nurses to perform neurological observation at an interval of four hours. The Glasgow Coma Scale will provide data on the level of consciousness in Mr. Kelly. Like the code of ethics and patient safety, the Roper, Logan and Tierney model requires nurses to keep a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients like Mr. Kelly. Through this way, nurses show respect to human dignity. Other instances involve keeping Mr. Kelly in a recovery position aimed at thwarting the tongue from slipping back. Additionally, as nurses, we feed Mr. Kelly with nutritious foods and fluids aimed at discouraging pyrexia or dehydration (Mooney, & O’Brien, 2006, pp. 887-892).
Apart from the general nursing practices, communication is also paramount in the care plan. A cordial relationship between the patient and nursing staff not only upholds human dignity, but also hastens the healing process. As nurses, we explain every happening to him so that he does not feel excluded. When Mr. Kelly is conscious, nurses address him politely rest he become confused and frightened. Communications among fellow health care professionals helps us to build a mutual relationship in the care plan and search new modalities of updating our services to meet the needs of the patients. Constantly, nurses communicate Mr. Kelly’s condition and the medication he is undergoing to his relatives and friends hence, building a cordial relationship with them.
Conclusion
The Roper, Logan and Tierney nursing model is imperative in establishing a care plan simply because it allows nurses to set their priorities right. It acts like a framework of providing quality healthcare services to patients by observing human dignity. Furthermore, the model ensures nurses meet patient needs in line with ANA Nursing Code of Ethics and patient safety. Notably, the model has been the bulwark of quality and professional nursing practice through the regular update of the care plan.
Reference List
Mooney, M. & O’Brien, F. (2006). Developing a plan of care using the Roper, Logan and Tierney model. British Journal of Nursing, 15(16), 887-892.
Robb, Y. (1997). Have nursing models a place in intensive care units? Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 13, 93-98.
Roper, N., Logan, W. & Tierney, A. (2000). The Roper-Logan-Tierney Model of Nursing: Based on Activities of Living. Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.