SN instructed patient to eat a balanced diet and drink fluids, increase protein and take vitamins to promote wound healing.
SN advised patient to take temperature once a day before bedtime, check for bleeding, pus, hardness, swelling, odor and any color change. If any of these are present, please let your nurse or doctor know as soon as possible. Patient verbalized understanding of instructions given.
Skilled nurse instructed patient on safety measures to avoid injuries and falls such as keeping adequate lighting during the day and night and was educated on proper use of assistive device to prevent falls.
Skilled nurse advised patient to elevate both legs to decrease pain and improve circulation.
SN advised patient to call doctor immediately if any of the following happen: The cast gets wet, damaged, or breaks, skin or nails on the toes below the cast become discolored, such as blue or gray, skin, or toes below the cast are numb, tingling, or cold, the swelling is more than before the cast was put on, bleeding, drainage, or bad smells come from the cast, and severe or new pain occurs. Patient verbalized understanding of instructions given.
The patient was instructed in chest trauma flail chest how to splint the chest when coughing to avoid pain. The patient was encouraged to review upper respiratory infection, shortness of breath, persistent cough, and persistent chest pain.
The patient was instructed in burns and its classification. The patient was advised that the curative process with new skin progress is expected in 6 weeks with mature healing within 6 to 12 months, depending on the extended of injury. The patient was taught to care of healed burns, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight, harsh detergent, fabric softeners etc., avoid contact with persons with infections especially upper respiratory infections. The patient was recommended to obtain medical supplies for dressing and any special assistive devices for home care management. The patient was encouraged in the importance of physiotherapy to assist in the exercise regimen and water exercises to maintain limb mobility.
The patient was instructed in head trauma in the importance of the wound/incision care in any laceration or medical cut. The patient was advised that possible remaining effects like dizziness, headaches, memory loss can be continue for up to 3 to 4 months after trauma. The patient was reviewed that may experience variations in character, inappropriate social behavior, hallucinations. The patient was taught in finding assistive devices for ambulation. The patient was reviewed in concussion to evade Valsalva maneuvers like pulling during defecation, coughing, nose blowing, sneezing.
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.
Instructed instructed call your doctor if you notice if around your stoma any redness, swelling, irritation, bleeding, green discharge or food.