Patient care is part of a nurses role a care plan. Usually, nurses
will perform patient assesment and evaluation of care while doing
their patient care.
Infection control
Nurses must observe the principles of cleanliness at all times to
prevent the spread of sickness. They wsh their hands thoroughly
with soap and running water before and after caring for patients
and after handling any wstes. For hands that aren't visibly soiled,
alcohol gel has come into common use to sanitize the hands in place
of washing. Gloves are worn when exposure to body fluids may occur.
Records
Nurses keep accurate records of all care and observations for many
purposes. In a hospital, the patient's record (often referred to
as a "chart") is the main means by which different members
f the health care team communicate with each other. The chart is
usuall a legal document that serves as evidence of care provided.
Since the maintenance of records is a legal responsibility, the
charts often have to meet certain standards, e.g. records must be
permanent, accurate, complete, and kept for years after the care
was given.
Temperature
Nurses may take a person's temperature several times
a day. The normal body temperature is traditionally
thought of as 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit),
but it may vary in healthy person from 36 to 37 degrees
Celsius (97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit). A higher temperature
is called a fever. Any sudden rise in the patient's
temperature could represent a medical emergency. Body
temperature may be taken by mouth or by rectum (rectal),
or a thermometer may be placed in the armpit . Using
traditional thermometers It takes three minutes to take
a temperature by mouth or rectum and ten minutes by
armpit. Modern digital thermometers can take a temperature
in seconds. Newer tympanic thermometers measure body
temperature through a sensor pointed into the ear canal
and canalso take a temperature reading in seconds but
the accuracy of these thermometers is still in question.
Medication
In some countries, Advanced Practice Nurses can prescribe medication,
however most nurses administer medication that is prescribed by
a physician. Some clinical settings have certain drugs that can
be administered by thenurse without a physicians orders. These policies
often referred to as medical directives) allow te nurse to administer
comon, safe medications without having to refer to a physician.
Although in sme countries a nurse i only responsible to administer
the medication as prescribed by the doctor, in some countries nurses
are legally responsible to ensure that the medication is appropriate
for the patient and have the authority to interpret the order.
Diet
Diet is important to help sick people get well and well
people to stay healthy. A dietitian, or other health
care professional may place the patient on a regular,
light, soft, or liquid diet. A person on a regular diet
can eat all the foods eaten normally; on a light diet
the patient may have such foods as ground meat, chicken,
fish, potatoes, rice, strained vegetables, custards,
and puddings. no rich, spicy foods, fried foods; or
raw fruits and vegetables are allowed. A soft diet includes
such foods as toast, cereal, eggs, potates, custards,
and ice cream. A liquid diet may consist only of lear
liquids, such as soup, tea, and juices. People with
certain illnesses may have other diet restrictions such
as people with diabetes or on dialysis. Often the sick
person has little appetite, so trays should look inviting.
Patients care pharmacy products vitamin drugs stores cancer tablets
|