Chemotherapy Reflective Accounts

This scenario is based on my experience in emergency ward (ER) where my supervisor requested me to go, when there was a shortage of staff in the ER. Since, it was first time that I was posted in ER, it was memorable for me. During my time, a lady in her late forties was brought on a stretcher accompanied by her husband. On my first assessment, she was throwing up, looked pale and dry. I gave her emesis bowl and put her in side lying position, to prevent aspiration. Since the patient was drowsy and tired, I asked the patient if it was ok to inquire her history from her husband, she nodded and said yes. So, as I took the history, I found that the patient was diagnosed with advanced stage of cancer and had her last chemotherapy few weeks back
Her vital signs were improved and having a conversation to her husband. Since she was palliative, they decided to go back to their home once her symptoms are relieved. Understanding the patients right to take a decision about her health, I respected that and informed that I will let her doctor to know about her decision. Blood Results were received showed anemia and vitamin deficiency. Since, on assessment, it was noted that the client was a vegetarian due to her religious belief and has lost weight from the past few weeks. Based on my knowledge on determinants of health, I felt it would be helpful to educate them on selecting iron rich vegetarian diet and how to plan her diet. So, I informed her blood result and explain them in simplest words to make them understand various minerals and vitamins, which can be depleted because of vegetarian diet. I assessed their knowledge by asking them about what typically involves in their meal and what`s their top priority at that time. Since the husband knew that she was palliative and said he wanted her to eat better and live her life as normal as possible. So, based upon their knowledge and preferences, I educated them about the various vegetarian food products that can be beneficial and affordable to them. In addition to that, since the nausea and vomiting is one of the most common symptoms felt by the cancer patients, I suggested about