Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio

M-2-4
Demonstrate knowledge and ability to assess and manage signs and
symptoms associated with substance abuse including:
IDENTIFY

COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER
AND SUBCATEGORY

DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY.
PROVIDE AN
EXAMPLE

DESCRIBE WHAT
YOU LEARNED AND
HOW IT RELATES TO
THE COMPETENCY.
EXPLAIN WHY IT
WAS MEANINGFUL.

USE THE
PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES TO

RATE YOUR
PROFICIENCY IN THE
CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY.
EXPLAIN WHAT WAS

addiction
dependency
intoxication
relapse
substance induced disorders
withdrawal
The text did an excellent job of outlining the classifications of
substance abuse specifically Chapter 26 of Boyd and Austin
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. The text and additional online
readings provided in Moodle gave an excellent outline of the many
phases of addiction/substance abuse and how clients work through the
full circle of substance abuse from the initial dependency to the
addiction and withdrawals that are often followed by relapses. I felt the
text and additional readings provided an excellent in depth view of the
far reaching implications that substance abuse can have on the clients,
their families and also on the health care system.
Through the text I learned about several examples of some of the
addictions that practical nurses could face in their career and also the
signs and symptoms of these addictions along with the possible
negative withdrawal side effects and secondary conditions that can
result as withdrawal sets in i.e.; delirium tremens. I found this to be
very insightful as I plan to work in a rural setting and feel that it is very
important to be able to recognize early in an emergent setting the signs
of a possible drug overdose, what signs correlate with what substance,
and also to have a strong knowledge to recognize early signs of abuse
through the CAGES assessment to provide the earliest intervention to
clients that are struggling with addictions.
Fair- I feel that I have reached this level of understanding as I have
only had an opportunity to study and apply my knowledge in a didactic
learning environment and have not had access to clients that are
suffering from substance abuse in any form. I feel that through
continued studies and through the practical application of my skills in
my upcoming practicums I will further my competency level. I feel
that through the guidance of my preceptors and instructors I will

DONE TO ACHIEVE
THE COMPETENCY.

DESCRIBE HOW YOU

WILL APPLY THIS
LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND
FUTURE NURSING
PRACTICE

continue to enhance my assessment skills and techniques. Through

lifelong learning I hope to progress to a level of excellence.
I will apply my knowledge in my upcoming medical/surgical
practicum as I feel that I need to be aware of signs of substance abuse
with clients that may be on prescribed opioids and other pain relievers
for chronic or acute pain. I feel that being aware of signs and
symptoms of addictions and directing clients to the appropriate
resources furthers the holistic care model. I will also apply this
knowledge in future practice when working in rural care as
psychiatrists and detox centers are not readily available in the rural
Saskatchewan area that I plan to seek employment in. I feel that having
a strong basic understanding of substance abuse and its signs and
symptoms will have clients that are in need of help gaining access to
the appropriate care far before it reaches a critical level through
appropriate assessments, early recognition, and early intervention.

Student Name: Caitlynn Goodbrand

Course: NFDN 2007 Nursing Foundations VII: Menta-001,002-XL-2016 Sum_______________
Date: August 26, 2016____________________________________________________________
Instructor/Tutor: Heather Zirk ______________________________________________________

REPORT
GUIDE

ON

PROGRESS

OF

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO MARKING

Name: Caitlynn Goodbrand

KEY CONTENT

MARKING GUIDE
POINTS :

0.5

0.25

Excellent

Satisfactory

Minimal

None

COMPETENCY NUMBER
Included the competency number and letter, as well
as the subcategory
SIGNIFICANT

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

KEY CONTENT

MARKING GUIDE
POINTS :

Described one significant learning experience in this

course related to a CLPNA competency and
provided an example
Give a specific example of some signs or symptoms
youve learned to look for.
WHAT

YOU

0.5

0.25

Excellent

Satisfactory

Minimal

None

Excellent

Satisfactory

Minimal

None

Excellent

Satisfactory

Minimal

None

Excellent

Satisfactory

Minimal

None

LEARNED

Described the significance of the learning

experience related to the competency learned
PROFICIENCY RATING
Rated self-according to Proficiency Categories in
the Learning Guide and identified what was done to
achieve it
NURSING PRACTICE

Described how the knowledge and experience will

be applied in current and future nursing practice
What resources are in the rural setting that you can
access for these clients? Be specific about where
you would turn for help.
TOTAL

Heather Zirk RN, BN

September 2016

4/5