hand washing
Instructed patient how prevent infections: rub your hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Make sure to rub the front and back of each hand up to the wrist, your fingers and fingernails, between the fingers, and each thumb. Rinse your hands with warm water. Dry your hands completely with a new, unused paper towel. Don’t use a cloth towel or other reusable towel. These can harbor germs.
Instructed on emergency preparedness. Planning ahead to ensure adequate care in case of severe weather or natural disaster is imperative. Here are a few key tips that warrant consideration in any elderly person’s disaster plan: Create an emergency contact card listing all of the emergency contact numbers and family information, including a list of doctors and relatives or friends who should be notified in case of injury. Discuss what to do in case of an emergency. Create a “disaster kit” that includes: Water for three days, Non-perishable food for three days (examples include protein and fruit bars, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers, canned juices and canned food), plus a manual can opener Battery-operated radio with extra batteries, Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries Change of clothes, plus extra blankets First aid supplies, Prescription medicine list, plus copies of prescriptions Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries, Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards, Some cash on hand, as a bank or ATM machine may be inaccessible Extra warm clothing
Instructed patient always clean your hands before and after you come in contact with any part of the PICC line. Your caregivers, family members, and any visitors should use good hand hygiene, too. Instructed patient keep the PICC dry. The catheter and dressing must stay dry.
SN used hand cleaner, donned gloves. Drainage bag from old catheter has clear yellow with sediments urine. SN donned sterile gloves, cleaned the perineum around the urinary meatus with chlorhexidine swabs. Flush Foley with 50 cc NS and immediately drained clear yellow urine. Then connected Foley to new drainage bag, then statlock placed on right thigh to secure catheter. Adult diaper put on patient. All items used for procedure disposed of in plastic bag, tied shut and put in household trash.
Skilled received patient sitting on the chair, noted difficulty when patient was trying to get up with the crutches, patient is at risk for fall. SN instructed pt to avoid sitting on low chair or chair without a hand rest for support in order to prevent fall.
Patient was educated on how to wear ordered arm sling, Gently pull the sling over your arm and elbow. It should fit snugly around the elbow, reach around your neck and grab the strap behind your elbow and tighten the straps so your hand and forearm are elevated above the level of your elbow. Orders were to maintain sling at 90 degree angle and to avoid any activities with the arm. Patient verbalized understanding
SN instructed patient and caregiver on how to stop a nosebleed. Make a thumbs up with hand on same side as nose bleed. Press side of nose that is bleeding closed and tilt head slightly down to prevent blood from going down into throat. Stay still for 5-10 minutes then gently release. Refrain from blowing nose or putting a tissue in nose x 24 hours. If bleeding does not stop seek medical attention.
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.
SN instructed patient that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joint. Rheumatoid Arthritis causes pain and swelling in the wrist and small joints of the hand and feet. Rheumatoid Arthritis can also affect other tissues throughout the body and cause problems in organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. Patient verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient the following way you can help prevent an infection wash your hands, use soap or an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. Check your skin every day for signs of infection, such as pain, redness, swelling, and oozing. Contact your primary healthcare provider if you see these signs.
