The following is a portion of a case study written about an actual patient that I took care of during medical/surgical clinical at a local hospital.  Following my actual care of a patient with acute diverticulitis, this excerpt shows my use of critical thinking as well as my nursing skills and knowledge.  The priority nursing diagnosis along with expected outcomes and interventions for this patient are included. 

     "When caring for the patient with acute diverticulitis, one priority nursing diagnosis is Acute Pain.  The defining characteristics of Acute Pain include alterations in muscle tone, changes in appetite and eating, comunication from teh patient, expressions of pain such as moaning or grimacing, and guarding or protective behavior.  The expeced outcomes for a patient with this nursing diagnosis would include the patient expressing feelings of comfort, decreasing the amount and frequency of pain medication, having the patient report more than four hours of sleep, and having the patient be able to identify pain characteristics and factors that intensify pain.  Interventions to achieve these outcomes include assessing the patient's signs and symptoms of pain and administering medication as prescribed and performing comfort measures such as relaxation or massage.  Apply heat or cold as ordered, hel the patient into comfortable positions, and educate the patient about their pain medication."