catheter-teaching-guide
General
Instructed patent / CG wash skin around the tube with soap and warm water. Clean around G-tube to remove any drainage and / or crusting. Rinse soap off with clear water. Dry skin thoroughly. Keep this site clean and dry.
Instructed patient check for redness, swelling, any drainage or excess skin growing around the tube. A small amount of clear tan drainage can be normal. Call your care team with any concerns. Instructed patient remove old dressing (if dressing is being used). Look at the area where the tube enters the skin
Instructed patient you may need to check your weight daily or weekly, Your healthcare provider may need to change your feeding if your weight changes too quickly. Instructed patient watched closely for any complications, such as an infection or bleeding.
Instructed patient do not take a bath in a bathtub. Cover the insertion site with clear, plastic wrap and tape to keep it dry before showering. Instructed patient avoid a lot of arm movement and coughing. Avoid lifting weight.
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.
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 )
SN instructed patient/ CG about laxatives. Laxatives should be taken as ordered. Drink plenty of fluids. Overuse of laxatives can cause constipation.
SN instructed the patient about care of incision site. Patient was instructed to check the incision daily for signs and symptoms of infection like increased drainage or bleeding from the incision site, redness in or around it, foul odor or pus coming from the incision, increased swelling around the area and fever above 101.0°F or shaking chills.
SN instructed patient to increase fluid intake after discharge for constipation due to anesthesia and pain medication. Patient may also try warm prune juice, stool softener (Senokot) or magnesium citrate.
SN reviewed patients medication with primary caregiver and instruct on medication compliance to better control the patients disease process. SN refilled patient’s medication box for daily routine implementation during visit.