low sodium
SN instructed caregivers/patient on hyponatremia, which means your blood level of sodium (salt) is too low. Salt is needed for the body and brain to work. Very low blood levels of sodium can be fatal. Symptoms can include headache, confusion, fatigue, muscle cramps, hallucinations, seizures, and coma. To help prevent hyponatremia, take all medicines exactly as directed. Certain medicines can lower blood sodium levels. Have your sodium levels checked often. This is vital if you take a diuretic (medicine that helps your body get rid of water). Call your provider right away if you have any of the following: Severe tiredness, Fainting, Dizziness, Loss of appetite, Nausea or vomiting, Confusion or forgetfulness, Muscle spasms, cramping, twitching Seizures, or Gait disturbances. Caregiver voiced understanding.
Avoid convenience foods such as canned soups, entrees, vegetables, pasta and rice mixes, frozen dinners, instant cereal and puddings, and gravy sauce mixes. Select frozen meals that contain around 600 mg sodium or less. Use fresh, frozen, no-added-salt canned vegetables, low-sodium soups, and low-sodium lunch meats.
Sn instructed that reducing sodium intake lowers blood pressure and prevent the collection of fluid in the lower legs or abdomen. People with chronic kidney disease must control sodium intake to prevent volume overload, which increases blood pressure and causes swelling. Food to eat any fresh or frozen beef, lamb, pork, poultry and fish. Eggs and egg substitutes. Low-sodium peanut butter. Dry peas and beans (not canned) drained, water or oil packed canned fish or poultry foods to avoid canned food canned vegetables processed meats salted snacks such as, salted peanuts, salted almonds etc.
SN instructed about avoid convenience foods such as canned soups, entrees, vegetables, pasta and rice mixes, frozen dinners, instant cereal and puddings, and gravy sauce mixes. Select frozen meals that contain around 600 mg sodium or less. Use fresh, frozen, no-added-salt canned vegetables, low-sodium soups, and low-sodium lunch-meats.
Instructed patient caregiver Loss of appetite, drowsiness, and leg cramps may be signs of sodium loss. Fatigue, muscle weakness, and shortness of breath may be signs of potassium loss. Dehydration, low sodium, and low potassium can all be dangerous and should be treated right away. Call your doctor or 911 right away if you are dizzy, weak, or having other serious symptoms.
SN instructed patient What can you do to control blood pressure? To minimize the risk of hypertension, control sodium, potassium, and other essential electrolytes the body uses to maintain fluid balance. The recommendation for patients with kidney disease: limit sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg per day. Most sodium in today’s diet comes from processed foods and restaurants foods. Unhealthy lifestyles choices, such as smoking tobacco, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption, may also contribute to hypertension.
SN instructed on a low residue diet. A low residue diet is a diet designed to reduce the frequency and volume of stools while prolonging intestinal transit time. It is similar to a low-fiber diet, but typically includes restrictions on foods that increase bowel activity, such as milk, milk products, and prune juice. A low residue diet typically contains less than 7–10 grams of fiber per day. Long term use of this diet, with its emphasis on processed foods and reduced intake of fruits and vegetables, may not provide required amounts of nutrients including potassium, vitamin C, calcium, and folic acid.Patient/caregiver verbalized understanding.
SN instructed that symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor about the reaction immediately. Low blood sugar is more likely if you drink large amounts of alcohol, do unusually heavy exercise or do not consume enough calories from food. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal.
RN instructed on low fat diet for treatment of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. RN explained patient to avoid foods that are rich in fat / cholesterol, choose only lean meat and avoid the fat, eat more fish and poultry, have baked / broiled red meats, fish or poultry instead of fried, use low-fat or fat-free milk, try fat-free or low fat cottage cheese or yogurt in place of cream and sour cream, have steamed vegetables and dress salads with lemon juice, fat free mayonnaise or fat free dressing. RN also instructed patient that Atorvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and therefore it is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease or other risk factors.
Instructed patient in medication Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and to improve survival after a heart attack. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully. Metoprolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dizziness or lightheartedness, tiredness, depression, nausea and dry mouth.