A delayed script for antibiotics for phenoxymethylpenicillin with safety netting advice ensured appropriate risk management and safe discharging.
Reflection on this consultation highlighted the complexities and uncertainties that can be associated with establishing a diagnosis and reaching appropriate management decisions within the limitations of the ten-minute appointment times of Primary Care.  The importance of a systematic, comprehensive and patient centred history as a foundation for safe diagnostic reasoning was made evident, as was the need for in-depth clinical knowledge and skills, a familiarity with up-to-date guidelines and an awareness of the importance of safety netting in achieving safe discharge. The author was led to consider exploring conservative measures where appropriate, especially pain relief, in future consultations. This reflection has provided the author with the tools for the beginnings of a journey of reflective evidenced based practice, so enabling safe transition from novice to expert Nurse Practitioner.