catheter-teaching-guide
Instructed patient avoid any activities that cause mild pain in your arm. Talk to your healthcare team if you have concerns about pain or range of motion. Don't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds with the affected arm.
Instructed patient as much as possible, use the arm with the PICC in it for normal daily activities. Lack of movement can lead to blood clots. So it's important to move your arm as you normally would. Your healthcare team may suggest light arm exercises. Avoid activities or exercises that require major use of your arm, such as sports, unless your healthcare provider says it's OK.
Tracheostomy care Instructed patient caregiver Signs and symptoms of difficulty breathing are: Retractions Pulling of the skin between the ribs, under the breastbone or around the trach itself. Also symptoms of difficulty breathing are: Sweaty and pale skin, a person is sweaty and pale and seems to be working hard to breathe while at rest, dusky lips or nail beds. The lips or nail beds look dark, dusky or blue.
Instructed patient caregiver clean technique includes tracheostomy care: hand washing, using gloves is optional, re-using a trach tube and/or inner cannula that has been properly cleaned, using prepared sterile water and normal saline, re-using the same trach ties if they are properly cleaned, re-using suction catheters if they are properly cleaned ( up to 8 hrs or 3/per day )
Instructed patient caregiver that 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.
Instructed patient Contact your healthcare provider or physician immediately: ff you have an irregular heart rate, your fluids or using cool mist humidification. If you have any other problems or concerns. If you feel increased pain or discomfort.
Instructed patient when to call the doctor the stoma is swollen and is more than a 1/2 inch (1 cm) larger than normal. The stoma is pulling in, below the skin level. The stoma is bleeding more than normal.
Instructed patient Be sure to treat any skin redness or skin changes right away, when the problem is still small. Do not allow the sore area to become larger or more irritated before asking your doctor about it.
Instructed patient To care for your skin:Wash your skin with warm water and dry it well before you attach the pouch. Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol. These can make your skin too dry.
Instructed patient about the skin around your stoma should look like it did before surgery. The best way to protect their skin is by: using a bag or pouch with the correct size opening, so waste does not leak, taking good care of the skin around your stoma.