skin care
Instructed in the importance of bathing to preserve personal hygiene and skin integrity. Instructed to keep skin clean and dry.
Instructed in that collection devices help when treatments to management incontinence fails. There are many types: liners, drips collectors, condoms, pads, guards, undergarments, briefs and bed pads. Device should be comfortable and discreet and should keep skin, clothes and furniture dry. Overpadding damages skin and reduces leakage awareness.
Instructed in complication of diarrhea such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or anal excoriation. Dehydration is indicated by dry mouth, poor skin tugor, dry, flushed skin, decreased urine output, sunken eyes and weak, rapid pulse.
Instructed patient about the collection devices which help when treatments to manage incontinence fail. There are many types: liners, drips collectors, condoms, pads, guards, undergarments, briefs and bed pads. Devices should be comfortable and discreet, and keep skin, clothes and furniture dry. Overpadding damages skin and reduces leakage awareness.
Instructed patient about dehydration. Common symptoms are: dry mouth, poor skin tugor, dry, flushed skin, decreased urine output, sunken eyes and weak, rapid pulse.
Instructed patient about skin infection signs, such as redness, skin breakdown, discharge, and blisters with purulent exudates. Contact MD immediately if any of these symptoms appear.
Instructed patient on new medication Santyl ointment. It is used for removing the dead skin from wounds or burned areas. Santyl ointment is an enzymatic debriding ointment. It works by breaking down dead skin.
Instructed caregiver how to prevent Pressure Ulcers for Bed bound patients: Protect the Skin
patient from injury - Avoid massaging the skin on bony parts of the patient body. Limit pressure
on bony areas by changing positions frequently. If the patient in a bed, preferably every 2 hours.
SN instructed on hyperthermia. Explained that hyperthermia is when the body's core temperature is below the normal and one start to shiver tremendously which and can turn worse into a glassy stare, pale in color, even frost bite, also altered mental status if severe enough. If by chance pt or any loved one was to start experiencing this, and if in wet clothes, one must get out of them into warm dry clothes. Gradually start warming the body with blankets and avoid giving any liquids if in the stage of altered mental state, due to possibility of person going unconscious. Never give person alcohol, or anything with caffeine. Skin to skin contact can help bring ones body temperature up. If frost bit occurs, one can warm body part usually fingers and toes up in warm to hot water up to 110degrees by soaking for awhile, if person is going to moved out of warm place do not re-warm feet just apply 4x4's in-between toes to avoid them sticking to each other.
SN instructed patient/CG keep the skin around your biliary catheter dry. You can take showers if you cover the area with plastic wrap. If the area does get wet, dry the skin completely after you shower.