bleeding-precautions!
Instructed patient that certain medications you might be taking, including Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium Tablets), also require special nutritional precautions. Your doctor or LVAD coordinator can provide you with detailed nutritional guidelines for your particular situation. Understanding was verbalized.
SN instruction patient and care giver on fall prevention starts with creating a safe living space. Clean up clutter. Repair or remove tripping hazards. Avoid wearing loose clothing. Light it right. Wear shoes.
SN instructed patient and caregiver that Diazepam can be habit-forming, so it's not typically used for long-term treatment or for people who've had problems with drug or alcohol abuse. This high risk benzodiazepine should never be taken more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed due to risk of overdose. S/s overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, lethargy and respiratory depression and even death in severe cases, especially when combined with EtOH or opiates. Patient and caregiver state they will only administer this medication as prescribed.
SN instructed about aspiration precautions. Consume honey thick liquids. Do not use a straw to drink fluid. Sit straight up when eating or drinking, have supervision with meals, do not eat alone. Sit up at least 1/2 hour after a meal.
Patient and caregiver instructed on precautions regarding medications like always check expirations date on medications, and dispose of expired meds, take all meds exactly as ordered. Never share medications with friends or family members or take medications that are not prescribed for you, keep medications out of reach of children, do not mix medications in bottles. Patient/caregiver instructed to keep an updated medication list in the home. Always take or send medication list to hospital or doctor's appointments with patient.
Instructed patient about take precautions don't rub the injection site. This could cause bruising.
Patient and caregiver educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Topiramat (Topamax). Topamax can induce extreme dry mouth and diarrhea. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with fluid supplementation. Topamax intake can induce some dizziness. Also, Topamax use can result in a side-effect of increased ammonia in the blood, which also contributes to increased nausea, confusion, and dizziness. Patient instructed to avoid activities where loss of consciousness (passing out) could result in serious danger to self or those around you (including swimming, driving a car, climbing in high places, etc.). Patient instructed to talk to his doctor before engaging in such activities.
SN instructed patient and caregiver about how to implement fall prevention program. Check the lighting in your apartment, consider installing a grab bar, replace scatter rugs with rubber backed rugs, make sure the light near the bed is easy to reach, move the phone within arm’s reach of your bed, easy access to the things you use the most. Patient and caregiver verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver that CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) is increasing again and every house hold members need to apply precautions not contact or spread infection. Wear your mask and use hand sanitizer. People that had vaccination can still contact it if not careful.
SN taught patient rise slowly and pause prior to ambulation to ensure proper blood pressure adjustment. Pump ankle 5-10x to reduce risk of blood pressure drop after rising from seating position. Make sure you feel your seat on the back of your legs prior to sitting. Use appropriate assistive device to ambulate. Take extra precaution while turning, around rugs/mats and avoid walking backwards.