leg
Diseases Process
Instructed caregiver A.L.F's staff on relieving and preventing patient's leg edema. The first line of defense is: leg elevation. Elevate legs above the level of the heart which puts minimal pressure on the back of the knees and thighs and lower back. Other help to decrease swelling is limiting salt intake, drink plenty of water, avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
SN instructed patient about Lymphedema disease. Lymphedema is the buildup of fluid in soft body tissues when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. When the lymph system is working as it should, lymph flows through the body and is returned to the bloodstream. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur: Swelling of an arm or leg; which may include fingers and toes; a full or heavy feeling in an arm or leg; a tight feeling in the skin. Patient verbalized understanding the teaching.
Instructed what can you do to manage shortness of breath (SOB) share your feelings shortness of breath can make you feel worried and anxious. Share your feelings with family, friends and your health care team. Use abdominal breathing when walking up slopes, climbing stairs or standing up. To climb stairs: stand close to the stairs with one hand on the railing beside you. Breathe in as you lift your leg up. Breathe out as you place your leg on the step and raise yourself up. Change the way you eat chew your food slowly, taking breaks in between bites. Try smaller meals more often. If you are having trouble eating, ask your health care team about trying nutrition drinks.
Instructed patient about symptoms of stroke: weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, including a leg or an arm. Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes. Double vision. Trouble talking, such as slurred speech. Problems understanding or using words. Severe headache. Dizziness or loss of balance. Any of these symptoms can come and go without warning.
Patient was instructed on factors that contribute in chronic wounds as repeated trauma. Repeated physical trauma plays a role in chronic wound formation by continually initiating the inflammatory cascade. The trauma occurs by accident, for example when a leg is repeatedly bumped against a wheelchair rest, or it may be due to intentional acts.
Patient was instructed on diabetes symptoms. People with diabetes also are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the artery). Atherosclerosis can involve the heart (coronary heart disease), with symptoms of chest pain or heart attack. Brain (cerebrovascular disease), causing stroke. Arteries supplying the legs (peripheral vascular disease), causing leg pain while walking or exercising that stops quickly with rest.
The patient was instructed in stroke cerebrovascular accident in the need to get correct devices like as walkers, specialty beds, and aids to safety, feeding, toileting, and grooming. The patient was instructed to deal with chronic pain. The patient was encouraged to use vision on the affected side. The patient was encouraged to use hearing on the affected side. The patient was encouraged to use of the unaffected extremity to assist the affected side in locating and movement. The patient was taught in the use of a hang for the affected arm to care the arm and shoulder. The patient was taught to support affected extremities when repositioning. The patient was advised to limit rotating to and lying on the affected side to 1 hour. The patient was instructed to do range-of-motion exercises of the affected extremities using the unaffected extremities. The patient was instructed to watch the affected leg whereas walking.
The patient was instructed in venous thrombosis in amount and records the size of the affected extremity daily. The patient was taught in the good skin care, using mild soap, rinse well, and dry gently. The patient was instructed in the use of antiembolic stockings for ambulation and times of extended sitting. The patient was instructed to remove them every 8 hours to evaluate the leg and skin. The patient was recommended to use of the bed cradle. The patient was recommended to apply of warm packs to the affected extremity.
SN instructed patient on deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein deep in your body, such as the calf of your leg. The greatest danger is a clot that breaks off and travels to the lung(s). When this clot in the lung is called a pulmonary embolism (PE), a PE can be life threatening
SN instructed patient that phantom pain is very real but not everyone who has an amputation has phantom pain. The pain may feel like cramping, burning, stabbing or shooting pain. Some things that can make the pain feel worse are being too tired, too much pressure on the amputated arm or leg, changes in the weather, stress and infection.