SN instructed patient and caregiver on measures to relieve legs edema : elevate legs above the level of your heart several times a day. In some cases, elevating legs while you sleep may be helpful; reduce salt intake, salt can increase fluid retention and worsen edema; moving and using the legs muscles, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart.
Instructed patient Rising slowly from a sitting or lying position may help ease symptoms. Avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of water, and eating small, low-carbohydrate meals along with fruits and vegetables may also help. See a doctor immediately if you Faint, Break out in cold sweats, breathe rapidly and shallowly, Notice blood in your stool.
SN to educate patient on CPAP machine as follows: CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The machines help people with sleep apnea breathe more easily and regularly every night while they are sleeping. A CPAP machine increases the air pressure in your throat to prevent your airway from collapsing when you inhale. Patient admits that most nights he goes to bed with Cpap, but finds mask on floor after waking in AM. SN to advise patient of importance of wearing Cpap as follows: The CPAP breathing machine is used by people with chronic obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder which causes airways to close up during sleep. People with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing while sleeping. When breathing stops the individual is suddenly jolted awake, gasping for air. Patient to deny any sleep issues lately. People with sleep apnea often do not remember these episodes, but instead experience chronic fatigue that they have no explanation for. Over time, sleep apnea can increase the risk of hypertension, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Patient verbalized understanding of teaching today. SN to continue to monitor.
Instructed patient 1 in 4 heart attack and stroke survivors has another. Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, making healthy lifestyle choices and taking medications like aspirin as recommended by your doctor, may help lower your risk of a second event.
SN instructed patient and caregiver on importance wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth to prevent spread COVID-19.
SN instructed patient about treatment of heart failure may include: controlling risk factors: quitting smoking losing weight and increasing moderate exercise restricting salt and fat from the diet avoiding alcohol proper rest controlling blood sugar if diabetic controlling blood pressure limiting fluids.
SN instructed patient about people with covid-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have covid-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting & diarrhea.
SN assessed patient for COVID 19 symptoms . Patient questions if they have had a fever, cough, SOB loss of taste of smell or generalized pain. patient denied any symptoms. Patient instructed on COVID 19 symptoms, transition and prevention.
SN instructed patient and caregiver to report any signs or symptoms such as : fever, cough, headache, trouble breathing, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, in order to prevent spread COVID-19.
SN instructed the patient to keep oxygen away from any open flame to include smoking and also in-home pilot lights such as stove, furnace and water heater. Oxygen produced from concentrator and oxygen tanks is flammable. Call your company for a humidifier if causing nasal dryness or you may purchase lubricants made for oxygen use at your local pharmacy. Do not use Vaseline or petroleum based products as these can cause irritation and skin complications. Post no smoking / no Open Flame signs.
