diabetic foot care
SN instructed the patient about care of incision site. Patient was instructed to check the incision daily for signs and symptoms of infection like increased drainage or bleeding from the incision site, redness in or around it, foul odor or pus coming from the incision, increased swelling around the area and fever above 101.0°F or shaking chills.
Tracheostomy Care Instructed patient long term complications include acute airway obstruction, blocked tube, Infection localized to stoma or
tracheo-bronchial
Tracheostomy care Instructed patient to contact the doctors or nurse if there are any signs of infection at the stoma site including
any redness, odor, swelling.
SN instructed patient and care giver to take Carafate (sucralfate) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal and avoid taking any other medications within 2 hours before or after you take Carafate. Side effects of Carafate include: nausea, vomiting, GI upset/pain, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness or headache.
SN to instruct patient Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: you have new or worse symptoms of a kidney infection. These may include: pain or burning when you urinate, a frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine, pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back, blood in the urine.
Instructed patient check the wound for increased redness, swelling, or a bad odor. Patient should pay attention to the color and amount of drainage from your wound. Look for drainage that has become darker or thicker.
SN instructed patient that having diabetes means you often need to make decisions about your care. The more you know about diabetes and how your daily activities affect your blood glucose levels, the easier it is to make wise decisions. Testing your blood glucose and keeping good track of your readings is essential to know how different activities, food, medication and stress levels affect your blood glucose readings.
SN taught patient that diabetes is a life-long disease. You will always have it, so education about your diabetes is very important. The more you learn about diabetes, the better you can control your blood glucose level and avoid complications. To learn how to manage your diabetes, work closely with your health care team.
Skilled nurse educated patient and caregiver on HTN disease process. HTN also known as high blood pressure is a chronic condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. It is important to seek medical attention for uncontrolled HTN and develop a plan of care with your PCP. It is recommended to check your blood pressure and pulse daily before taking blood pressure medications and logging in a journal. If your blood pressure is elevated wait 1-2 hours and recheck. Contact your doctor or home health agency if problems with blood pressure continue . Patient and caregiver verbalized understanding.
SN educated patient on some ways to cope with stress and anxiety. explained to the patient that anxiety can be a normal part of life when faced with stressors such as changes in relationships, presenting in front of a crowd, or making decisions. There is no one right answer to eliminate anxiety. It is important to find healthy coping skills that will work for you. Consult with your primary care physician when anxiety becomes persistent or unmanageable. SN Instructed patient about some coping skills to consider when struggling with anxiety include: Reaching out to support system (i.e. family/friends, counselors, psychiatrists, or support groups). Deep breathing Meditation, Yoga, Avoiding caffeinated beverages, Healthy diet, and Calming music. Patient Verbalized fair understanding of anxiety teaching.