fall safety
Patient was instructed on measures to prevent falls at home such as removing things like thresholds, throw rugs, and clutter. Repairing loose carpet or raised areas in the floor, moving furniture or electrical cords out of the walking paths.
Patient was instructed on measures to prevent falls at home during daily activities. Do not try to carry too many things at the same time. Have a place near the door where it is possible to place packages and groceries while you close the door and get ready to put things away.
Patient was instructed on how lifestyle and daily routine can affect blood sugar levels. Food is the major culprit in altering the blood sugar level. The blood is at its highest an hour or two after eaten, and then it starts to fall. What eaten, when and how much all affect blood sugar levels.
Patient was instructed on list of measures to prevent falls at home: If use a cane put rubber tips on it. Keep the house well lit especially stairways, porches and outside walkways. Use night lights in areas such as hallways and bathroom.
Instructed patient to install light switches at both the top and bottom of stairways.
Instructed patient in the importance to use the ambulatory aids to prevent accidental falls.
Instructed on the importance of using adjunctive equipment (e.g., cane) as a measure aimed to reducing the risk of falls/injuries.
SN instructed patient about Coreg is a beta blocker used for heart failure, hypertension or after a MI. Side effects include dizziness, shortness of breath, slow heart rate, lightheadedness, weight gain, swelling of feet and legs. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
SN instructed that Temazepam is used to treat sleep problems (insomnia). It may help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and lessen how often you wake up during the night, so you can get a better night's rest. Temazepam belongs to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect. SN also instructed on side effects such as, dizziness or difficulty with coordination. If either of these effects persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness or falling, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about Bethanechol. Sometimes given orally or subcutaneously to treat urinary retention resulting from general anesthetic, diabetic neuropathy of the bladder, or a side effect of antidepressants or to treat gastrointestinal atony (lack of muscular tone). Adverse reaction are rare following oral administration of Bethanechol, but are more common following subcutaneous injection. Adverse reactions are more likely to occur when dosage is increased. Adverse reactions that have been observed: Body as a Whole: malaise; Digestive: abdominal cramps or discomfort, colicky pain, nausea and belching, diarrhea, borborygmi, salivation; Renal: urinary urgency; Nervous System: headache; Cardiovascular: a fall in blood pressure with reflux tachycardia, vasomotor response; Skin: flushing producing a feeling of warmth, sensation of heat about the face, sweating; Respiratory: bronchial constriction, asthmatic attacks; Special Senses: lacrimation, miosis.