Evolving deterioration on a medical ward
Recognise a changing trend across time, state competing interpretations, and rehearse escalation per local policy without naming a diagnosis.
Synthetic / educational simulationAcute care
Person-centred context
Synthetic patient profile
Profile
Synthetic adult, 68 years (simulated), admitted two days ago for reduced mobility and fatigue
Setting
28-bed general medical ward, simulated day shift, synthetic environment
Timeline
Observations shown across 08:00 → 16:00 of a simulated shift
Narrative
Handover described a settled night. Across the shift the healthcare assistant notes the person is 'quieter than yesterday' and has eaten little. Observations were charted at irregular intervals.
Goals & preferences
Stated simulated preference: to stay on the ward if safe, wants daughter contacted before any transfer decision.
Case objective
What this case practises
- · Trend recognition
- · Uncertainty
- · SBAR rehearsal
- · Limits of screening scores
Context
History & social context
History
- · Type 2 diabetes (simulated, diet controlled)
- · Chronic kidney disease stage 3 (simulated)
- · Reduced mobility since admission
Social context
- · Lives alone, daughter visits daily
- · Uses reading glasses; hearing aid battery flat since admission
Stated preferences
- · Wants to be told plainly what is happening
- · Daughter is nominated contact for escalation conversations