~Basically, what are bandages?
A bandage is a piece of material used to support a medical device such as dressing or splint.
~What are splints?
A splint is a device used for support and immobilization.
~When do we use bandages?
Bandages are used when we bind up wounds or other injuries and when we control bleeding.
~Why do we have to follow bandaging patterns?
Bandaging patterns are followed depending on which body part is to be bandaged. The reason why
we should follow a pattern is to properly bandage the patient without disturbing blood circulation
and for a more comfortable recovery.
~How do bandages and dressings differ?
While bandages are used to support, dressings are the ones that are applied to prevent further harm.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Making the bed and Bathing the patient
What is the importance of making a bed? How does it help the patient for a fast recovery?
We need to learn these things so that we could apply it to our life or use the knowledge for home nursing purposes. Since crumples on the bed sheet could irritate the skin, proper bed management could fix the problem and make the patient comfortable. As a home nurse, we could make the patient enjoy their recovering through proper bed making.
Why is bathing the patient important? Why do we have to use certain materials for the patient's needs?
Bathing the patient is important because it helps in the circulation of blood and waste elimination. It is also important because it can relax and cleanse the patient. It is also a form of exercise.
Materials needed for a sponge bath and a bed bath are 2 big and small towels, a rubber sheet, a basin with warm water, soap and a light blanket.
Using bedpans or urinals is important if the patient will be bedridden for a long time which will render them unable to go to the bathroom. Bedpans and urinals are used for certain waste elimination such as urinating and defecating. Back rubs are used to make the patient feel relaxed and comfortable because it is a form of massage.
The difference between a cold compress and hot compress is that hot compress increases circulation while cold compress is for comfort measures. Both hot and cold compress relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
We need to learn these things so that we could apply it to our life or use the knowledge for home nursing purposes. Since crumples on the bed sheet could irritate the skin, proper bed management could fix the problem and make the patient comfortable. As a home nurse, we could make the patient enjoy their recovering through proper bed making.
Why is bathing the patient important? Why do we have to use certain materials for the patient's needs?
Bathing the patient is important because it helps in the circulation of blood and waste elimination. It is also important because it can relax and cleanse the patient. It is also a form of exercise.
Materials needed for a sponge bath and a bed bath are 2 big and small towels, a rubber sheet, a basin with warm water, soap and a light blanket.
Using bedpans or urinals is important if the patient will be bedridden for a long time which will render them unable to go to the bathroom. Bedpans and urinals are used for certain waste elimination such as urinating and defecating. Back rubs are used to make the patient feel relaxed and comfortable because it is a form of massage.
The difference between a cold compress and hot compress is that hot compress increases circulation while cold compress is for comfort measures. Both hot and cold compress relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Home Nursing Techniques
1. If you are a good home nurse,
what are the various home nursing techniques that you need to apply that
will make the patient feel comfortable and speed up the recovery?
-As a home nurse, I should be responsible in recording all vital signs of the patient as to be aware of what to do once the patient has a change in their usual vital signs.
2. Why should the home nurse monitor the vital signs of the patient?
- It is important to check the patient's vital signs for the home nurse to be aware of the changes that are happening in their body and to be ready for emergencies that might happen if something goes wrong.
3. How do you take the body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure of the patient?
~To take the body temperature, the home nurse should use a thermometer which is put to various parts of the body (rectum, mouth and armpit). Since the normal body temperature of a human is 37°C (98.6°F), going above it indicates that the patient has a fever.
~To check the pulse rate, the home nurse must place his/her index and middle finger (excluding the thumb) on the patient's wrist. The home nurse must now count how many times the heart beats for 1 minute. You can use a clock's second hand for a more accurate counting.
~Since the patient can change their breathing voluntarily, the home nurse must check their respiratory rate when the patient is not aware.
~In taking the patient's blood pressure, the patient must sit comfortably with the arm rested on a table. The home nurse must wrap the BP cuff around the patient's arm and place the bell-shaped end of the stethoscope in the inside of the elbow where the pulse can be felt. Squeeze the rubber cuff until the pulse can no longer be heard. Then, release the air slowly. When the first beat of the heart is heard, record it as systolic pressure. Take the reading again when the thumping of the heart disappears (diastolic pressure). Indicate in the record how the blood pressure was taken.
4. What are some practices that the home nurse must follow that will promote comfort to the patient?
- To promote comfort to the patient, a home nurse must be cheerful always for the patient to be convinced that they will recover soon.
5. How will you differentiate signs from symptoms of illnesses and diseases?
-The difference between the two is that signs are what the doctor sees to help identify what the disease is. Symptoms are what the patient feels to further help in identifying the disease.
6. If you are the doctor, what will be your basis in giving the diagnosis for your patient?
-If I become a doctor, my basis in identifying the disease will be how the patient is feeling and
what I see based on how they act or move.
-As a home nurse, I should be responsible in recording all vital signs of the patient as to be aware of what to do once the patient has a change in their usual vital signs.
2. Why should the home nurse monitor the vital signs of the patient?
- It is important to check the patient's vital signs for the home nurse to be aware of the changes that are happening in their body and to be ready for emergencies that might happen if something goes wrong.
3. How do you take the body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure of the patient?
~To take the body temperature, the home nurse should use a thermometer which is put to various parts of the body (rectum, mouth and armpit). Since the normal body temperature of a human is 37°C (98.6°F), going above it indicates that the patient has a fever.
~To check the pulse rate, the home nurse must place his/her index and middle finger (excluding the thumb) on the patient's wrist. The home nurse must now count how many times the heart beats for 1 minute. You can use a clock's second hand for a more accurate counting.
~Since the patient can change their breathing voluntarily, the home nurse must check their respiratory rate when the patient is not aware.
~In taking the patient's blood pressure, the patient must sit comfortably with the arm rested on a table. The home nurse must wrap the BP cuff around the patient's arm and place the bell-shaped end of the stethoscope in the inside of the elbow where the pulse can be felt. Squeeze the rubber cuff until the pulse can no longer be heard. Then, release the air slowly. When the first beat of the heart is heard, record it as systolic pressure. Take the reading again when the thumping of the heart disappears (diastolic pressure). Indicate in the record how the blood pressure was taken.
4. What are some practices that the home nurse must follow that will promote comfort to the patient?
- To promote comfort to the patient, a home nurse must be cheerful always for the patient to be convinced that they will recover soon.
5. How will you differentiate signs from symptoms of illnesses and diseases?
-The difference between the two is that signs are what the doctor sees to help identify what the disease is. Symptoms are what the patient feels to further help in identifying the disease.
6. If you are the doctor, what will be your basis in giving the diagnosis for your patient?
-If I become a doctor, my basis in identifying the disease will be how the patient is feeling and
what I see based on how they act or move.
Administering Medicines
Health is important to all people. It allows us to do things which could benefit us and other people. What if we got sick and we can't do anything well? There are many things that could help us recover including rest. The most important and effective way is by taking in medicines.
Although it sounds simple, it is easier said than done. A home nurse should learn all basic things about administering medicines before doing it on an actual patient. What if the home nurse does not check the doctor's prescription and patient took too much dosage of the medicine? This will result to over dosage so the medicine might not have any effect or it will worsen the patient's disease.
As a home nurse, one must know the basic components on how to administer medicine to their patients. With proper medicine intakes, the patient's recovery will be well guided and avoid worsening their disease. I learned that even though "administering medicine" sounds piece of cake, but you should be careful about doing it properly.
Although it sounds simple, it is easier said than done. A home nurse should learn all basic things about administering medicines before doing it on an actual patient. What if the home nurse does not check the doctor's prescription and patient took too much dosage of the medicine? This will result to over dosage so the medicine might not have any effect or it will worsen the patient's disease.
As a home nurse, one must know the basic components on how to administer medicine to their patients. With proper medicine intakes, the patient's recovery will be well guided and avoid worsening their disease. I learned that even though "administering medicine" sounds piece of cake, but you should be careful about doing it properly.
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