catheter-teaching-guide
General
Patient was given teaching on good body mechanics to avoid injury such as: keep your back straight as you walk and also when lifting making sure to never bend at the waist. If sitting put a pillow or rolled towel to support your lower back.
Sn teaching patient to take pain medication before pain becomes severe to achieve better pain control and decreases the amount of pain medication that is required. SN instructed patient on pain relief measures, including relaxation techniques, massage, stretching, positioning, and / or hot / cold packs.
SN teaching patient / caregiver on measures to prevent pressure ulcers, such as: Clean skin at times of soiling, avoid irritating cleaning agents, use moisturizers on dry skin, do not message bony prominences, keep skin clean and dry, and comply with proper lifting and positioning techniques.
Sn instructed patient in walker safety. When you stand wait one minute before attempting to walk. Do not take a step until all 4 legs of the walker are level on the ground. Do not place the walker too far ahead of you. Keep the walker’s back legs even with your toes. Always look forward at your path, don’t look down at your feet. To get up from a seat, do not pull up on your walker. Push up from your seat. Do not lean forward over your walker. Work at keeping good posture. Be careful when you walk from a tile or hardwood floor to a carpeted floor. Do not use your walker on stairs or on an escalator. Check the rubber tips on the legs of your walker often. Replace the tips when they become worn. Patient verbalized understanding of teaching.
SN instructed patient / caregiver what should be done in the event of seizure. Place a pillow or something soft under her head to protect it. Remove and hard objects or furniture that may get in the way and cause injury. Turn her on her side to help avoid aspiration of secretions into the lungs. Never place anything in her mouth or try to restrain her in any way. Notify physician ( MD ) of any seizure activity as well as duration of the seizure. When the seizure has subsided, she may feel disoriented or tired so it’s okay to allow her to rest and sleep. Patient and caregiver verbalized understanding of all teaching.
SN instructed that the joint that is damaged by injury or disease can be removed and replaced with a new one. There are times when only a part of the joint needs to be replaced or repaired. Your healthcare provider may try other treatments before joint replacement surgery, such as steroid injections or medicines. Pain relief and increased function are the goals of joint replacement. Knee, hip, and shoulder joints are the most common joints replaced. Joints in your elbows, fingers, and ankles can also be repaired or replaced. Your risk of infection, bleeding, and blood clots increase with surgery. You may be allergic to the material used in your new joint. Nerves, muscles, tendons, and blood vessels near your joint may become damaged during surgery. The new joint may loosen or come out of the socket. Sn instructed patient on symptoms / signs ( S/S ) of infection such as fever, drainage, swelling, redness. Patient recalls back partial teaching of redness. Patient instructed to report any symptoms should they occur to physician / nurse ( MD / SN ).
SN educated patient on some ways to cope with stress and anxiety. explained to the patient that anxiety can be a normal part of life when faced with stressors such as changes in relationships, presenting in front of a crowd, or making decisions. There is no one right answer to eliminate anxiety. It is important to find healthy coping skills that will work for you. Consult with your primary care physician when anxiety becomes persistent or unmanageable. SN Instructed patient about some coping skills to consider when struggling with anxiety include: Reaching out to support system (i.e. family/friends, counselors, psychiatrists, or support groups). Deep breathing Meditation, Yoga, Avoiding caffeinated beverages, Healthy diet, and Calming music. Patient Verbalized fair understanding of anxiety teaching.
SN instructed patient ways to clear nasal sinuses and to moisturize your sinuses by draping a towel over your head as you breathe in the vapor from a bowl of medium-hot water. Keep the vapor directed toward your face. Or take a hot shower, breathing in the warm, moist air to help ease pain and help mucus drain. Rinse out your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle, saline canister.
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.
Neuropathy assessment and teaching on management, medication, and alternative therapies to alleviate pain.