high blood pressure
Sn instructed that reducing sodium intake lowers blood pressure and prevent the collection of fluid in the lower legs or abdomen. People with chronic kidney disease must control sodium intake to prevent volume overload, which increases blood pressure and causes swelling. Food to eat any fresh or frozen beef, lamb, pork, poultry and fish. Eggs and egg substitutes. Low-sodium peanut butter. Dry peas and beans (not canned) drained, water or oil packed canned fish or poultry foods to avoid canned food canned vegetables processed meats salted snacks such as, salted peanuts, salted almonds etc.
SN instructed patient about some things that he can do to help control your blood pressure , including: Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium ( bananas ) and fiber ( cereals,beans ) , drink plenty of water, exercise regularly : walking for a few minutes every day , limit the amount of sodium ( salt ) you eat ( avoid canned foods ), reduce stress by trying to avoid things that cause you stress.
SN instructed that check the access for signs of infection or problems with blood flow before each hemodialysis treatment, even if the patient is inserting the needles. Keeping the access clean at all times. Using the access site only for dialysis. Being careful not to bump or cut the access. Checking the thrill in the access every day. The thrill is the rhythmic vibration a person can feel over the vascular access. Watching for and reporting signs of infection, including redness, tenderness, or pus. Not letting anyone put a blood pressure cuff on the access arm. Not wearing jewelry or tight clothes over the access site. Not sleeping with the access arm under the head or body. Not lifting heavy objects or putting pressure on the access arm.
SN instructed patient / caregiver regarding medication Benicar. Explained that this medication is a blood pressure lowering medication. Explained that the side effects includes hypotension ( low blood pressure ), dizziness, fatigue, headache and /or diarrhea. SN instructed patient / caregiver to notify physician ( MD ) if experiencing persistence or worsening of side effects.
SN educated patient on the importance of daily vital sign monitoring. Due to patients disease processes it is important to monitor blood pressure, weight, pulse and oxygen daily if equipment is available. SN instructed patient to weigh correctly they need to wake up, pee and than weigh daily at the same time if possible, same amount of clothing, same area. Patient is to weigh prior to eating/drinking in the morning. Notify home health or PCP if -/+ 3 lbs in a day or +/-5 lbs in a week is seen. SN educated patient to monitor blood pressure and pulse, and instructed to check before medications and if elevated/low recheck in 1-2 hours. SN educated patient to always log vitals so patients MD has a larger snap shot on what is going on.Patient/CG verbalized understanding
SN taught patient rise slowly and pause prior to ambulation to ensure proper blood pressure adjustment. Pump ankle 5-10x to reduce risk of blood pressure drop after rising from seating position. Make sure you feel your seat on the back of your legs prior to sitting. Use appropriate assistive device to ambulate. Take extra precaution while turning, around rugs/mats and avoid walking backwards.
Patient was instructed on how lifestyle and daily routine can affect blood sugar levels. Coordinating the meals with the medications can be a fine balance. Too little insulin in comparison to the medication may result in very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Too much food may cause the blood sugar to climb too high (hyperglycemia).
Caregiver was instructed that blood sugar may be check at different times of the day to get an idea of how well your treatment program is working for you. Typical times to check are before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, and before bedtime. Sometimes it is helpful to check blood glucose one or two hours after a meal to see the effect of food on your glucose levels. There are certain times when should check the blood sugar more often than usual: During periods of illness or stress, when is suspect that blood glucose is low or high. When there are changes made in the treatment program - such as a change in medication doses, meal plan or activity, when taking new medications.
SN instructed that if you have diabetes, your body cannot make or properly use insulin. This leads to highblood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Healthy eating helps keep your blood sugar in your target range. It is a critical part of managing your diabetes, because controlling your blood sugar can prevent the complications of diabetes.
SN instructed patient on hyperlipidemia also known as hyperlipoproteinemia. It is a condition in which there are high levels of fat particles (lipids) in the blood. These substances can deposit in blood vessel walls and restrict blood flow. This creates a risk of heart attack and stroke. Hyperlipidemia doesn't cause any symptoms. The condition is diagnosed by routine blood tests, recommended every five years for adults. Treatments include medication, a healthy diet, and exercise.