Clinical Case Study

NURS 331- Clinical Management of the Childbearing Family

Purpose of Assignment
This activity enables the student to conduct an in-depth assessment of a childbearing
woman and her family and plan nursing care specific to that client, based on nursing research
and AWHONN Standards of Care. The assessment will include the physiologic, psychologic,
social, cultural, and environmental influences pertaining to the client and her family.
Student Approach to Assignment
The patient chosen for this case study was the first case that I had explored of births in a
midwifery center. The midwifery center is a special, more natural unit in the hospital that allows
women to have a natural birthing experience in a safe environment.
Reason for Inclusion of the Assignment in the Portfolio
This assignment is included in the portfolio because it highlights the care that was provided to a
unique patient and demonstrates integration of a wide variety of end of program behaviors.
Research
Applies research-based knowledge from the arts, humanities and sciences to complement
nursing practice.
Example: In this paper, I explained how current research has shown that the use of a
doula during childbirth decreases a womans chances of getting an epidural or having
a C-section. I used this knowledge to better explain how therapeutic the patients
doula experience was.
Professionalism
Differentiates between general, institutional, and specialty-specific standards of practice
to guide nursing care.
Example: In this paper, I went into depth about the AWHONN general standards of
practice that were upheld during the patients care. These standards include that of
adequate assessment and collaborative care.
Nursing Practice
Implements traditional nursing care practices as appropriate to provide holistic health
care to diverse populations across the lifespan.
Example: In this paper, I explained the postpartum nursing care that I performed on
the patient with my instructor. My instructor and I conducted a focal postpartum
assessment on this patient to make sure that her body was adjusting appropriately to
the childbirth.