Instructed what can you do to manage shortness of breath (SOB) use devices to help you save your energy some devices can help to cut down on the work your body needs to do in order to breath. Use pillows to raise your head when lying down. Use a reclining chair with a footrest when sitting. Use a walker or wheelchair if you need them.
Instructed what can you do to manage shortness of breath (SOB) be active even if you have severe lung problems, you can do small amounts of exercise. Take it slowly and use abdominal breathing as much as possible. Increase the amount of exercise you do little by little to improve your breathing and feel better. Showering or bathing keep the bath water shallow and lukewarm. Open a window in the bathroom to let in fresh air and let out steam. Sit in the shower. Position the shower water away from your face. Rest when you need to.
Instructed what can you do to manage shortness of breath (SOB) make lifestyle changes take your medications as prescribed there are some medications that can help shortness of breath. You may need oxygen if your oxygen level is low. Your health care team will test your levels if you are having shortness of breath. Pace yourself break your activities down into smaller steps. Plan your activities so that you have time to do them slowly and comfortably. Keep things that you use often close by and within easy reach.
Instructed patient how do I care for my skin around my trach tube. Clean your skin at least once each day. You may need to clean it more often if you cough up a lot of thick mucus. You may need someone to help you clean your skin. Wash your hands and put on gloves. This will prevent infection. Suction the area around your stoma. This will help remove mucus .Clean your skin around the stoma, clean the tube flanges, change wet or dirty trach ties., place a gauze between your skin and the flanges and check your skin every day for signs of infection. Look for redness or swelling of the skin around your tube. Also look for pus, bleeding, or a rash.
Instructed patient how can I prevent infections. Keep your mouth clean. Saliva and mucus contain germs that cause infection if they enter your airway. Brush your teeth twice a day. Suction your mouth as needed. Use a mouth wash twice a day or as directed. Take deep breaths and cough 10 times each hour. This will decrease your risk for a lung infection. Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you can. Let the air out and then cough strongly. Deep breaths help open your airway. You may be given an incentive spirometer to help you take deep breaths. Put the plastic piece in your mouth and take a slow, deep breath, then let the air out and cough. Repeat these steps 10 times every hour.
Instructed patient how can I prevent infections. Wash your hands. Always wash your hands before and after you care for your trach. Clean your trach equipment as directed. Use clean or sterile trach care methods to clean your equipment. Clean the area around your trach as directed. The area around your trach is called the stoma. Use a trach cover as directed. Do not use a trach cover unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. A trach cover sits over the opening to your trach tube. It prevents dirt and other foreign bodies from getting into your airway.
Instructed patient when should I call my healthcare provider. Contact your healthcare provider or physician immediately if you have an irregular heart rate. If you feel increased pain or discomfort. It is normal to feel some pain and discomfort for about a week after the tracheostomy procedure. If you have difficulty breathing and it is not relieved by your usual method of clearing secretions. When secretions become thick, if crusting occurs or mucus plugs are present. Your physician may recommend increasing your fluids or using cool mist humidification.
Instructed patient abdominal drainage when you have infection You might get an infection in the cuts made to put in the tube, or in the abdomen. If you get an infection you have antibiotics. These might be as tablets or through a drip. If you get a severe infection, your doctor might take the tube out. Instructed patient abdominal drainage when you have Tube blockage The tube might stop draining. Changing your position or sitting upright can sometimes get rid of the blockage. If not, your doctor might need to replace the tube. Patient verbalized understanding.
Instructed patient about abdominal drainage when you have pain and discomfort your nurse can give you painkillers if you need them. They can also help you change your position to make you comfortable. Patient verbalized understanding.
SN to instructed patient on disease process, including who to prevent cardiovascular disease . educing the use of alcohol and tobacco, eating fresh fruit and vegetables, reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fat intake, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. Patient verbalized understanding.
