skin integrity
SN instructed patient / caregiver about Methylprednisolone ( Medrol ), it is a corticosteroid used to treat severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, and skin conditions. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Possible side effects, that may go away during treatment, include difficulty sleeping, mood changes, nervousness, increased appetite, or indigestion. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience swelling of feet or legs unusual weight gain black, tarry stools vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds severe nausea or vomiting changes in menstrual periods headache muscle weakness or prolonged sore throat, cold or fever. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. DO NOT stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause serious side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine makes you more susceptible to illnesses, especially if you take it for an extended period of time. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people who have colds or other infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (fever, sore throat, pain during urination, or muscle aches) that occur during treatment and within 12 months after stopping this medicine.
Why is it important to do active ROM exercises? ROM exercises are very important if you have been ill, injured, or must stay in bed or in a wheelchair. Active ROM exercises help build up or keep your muscles as strong as possible. They help keep your joints flexible ( bending and moving in the right way ). Doing ROM exercises will help keep good blood flow going to the joint area that is being exercised. They may help prevent blood clots. Exercising is natural and needed for the body to stay well. Your heart pumps stronger and easier when you exercise regularly. You also breathe quicker and more often while exercising. This helps prevent infections that happen if you do not breathe or cough deeply enough. With your heart and lungs working stronger, more blood gets to the muscles, bones, and skin. Increasing blood flow brings more oxygen and other good things to your body tissues and organs. Walking and other exercises help make your BMs and urine more regular. Exercising can also make you feel better, more relaxed, and happier.
SN instructed patient about Lymphedema disease. Lymphedema is the buildup of fluid in soft body tissues when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. When the lymph system is working as it should, lymph flows through the body and is returned to the bloodstream. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur: Swelling of an arm or leg; which may include fingers and toes; a full or heavy feeling in an arm or leg; a tight feeling in the skin. Patient verbalized understanding the teaching.
SN instructed patient and caregiver about Lymphedema disease, also known as lymphatic obstruction. Is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system, which normally returns interstitial fluid to the thoracic duct and then the bloodstream. The condition can be inherited or can be caused by a birth defect, though it is frequently caused by cancer treatments, and by parasitic infections. Though incurable and progressive, a number of treatments can ameliorate symptoms. Tissues with lymphedema are at high risk of infection. Symptoms may include a feeling of heaviness or fullness, edema and ( occasionally ) aching pain in the affected area. In advanced lymphedema, there may be the presence of skin changes such as discoloration, verrucous ( wart-like ) hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and papillomatosis; and eventually deformity ( elephantiasis ). Patient verbalized understanding the teaching.
RN instructed patient about medication Famotidine that is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the esophagus. RN instructed patient to swallow the tablets and capsules with a full glass of water. RN also explained about side effects of treatment such as: hives, skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. RN instructed to call Physician immediately if any of these signs or symptoms appear. Patient and caregiver voiced understanding of all instructions given.
SN instructed patient on liver failure. The early symptoms of liver failure are similar to symptoms of many other conditions. Because of this, liver failure may initially difficult to diagnose. Some of the most common initial symptoms of liver failure are: Nausea, Loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea. As liver failure progresses, the symptoms become more serious. The most common symptoms of advanced liver failure include: Skin itchiness, jaundice, bleeding easily, bruising easily, swollen abdomen, mental disorientation or confusion, sweet or foul smelling breath, sleepiness, coma. Educated patient that the liver filters the Ammonia out the blood and that liver failure causes Ammonia levels to increase, which cause change of mental status, confusion, and sleepiness or fatigue.
SN instructed patient on Colostomy Care. You contact your healthcare provider if: You have a fever, you have a foul odor coming from your colostomy bag or stomach that lasts longer than a week, your skin around the stomach becomes red and irritated, you have nausea, vomiting, pain, cramping, or bloating, you do not have regular bowel movements through your stomach, the size of your stomach changes, you have questions or concerns about your condition.
SN instructed patient about Jackson Pratt care. The JP drain removes fluids by creating suction in the tube. The bulb is squeezed
flat and connected to the tube that sticks out of your body. The bulb expands as it fills with fluid. SN instructed patient use soap and water or saline ( saltwater ) solution to clean your JP drain site. Dip a cotton swab or
gauze pad in the solution and gently clean your skin.
SN instructed patient / caregiver that Actos is an antidiabetic med that is used to lower blood sugar. SN explained that it is important to not take medication when blood sugar is low. SN instructed to patient / caregiver to check blood sugar level before taking the medication to avoid hypoglycemia. SN instructed that side effects of the medication include: SOB, swelling or rapid weight gain, chest pain, N / V, jaundice, blurred vision, pale skin, easy bruising. SN instructed patient / caregiver to inform physician if experiencing any of these side effect.
SN instructed patient / caregiver that Guaifenesin is an expectorant used to help clear mucous and congestion and codeine is used to quiet to cough. SN instructed patient / caregiver to take as directed and with food if stomach upset occurs. Informed that drowsiness, constipation, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headache may occur the first several days the body adjusts to the medication, call physician ( MD ) if these effects continue or become bothersome or if developing skin rash, itching or rapid heart rate. SN instructed patient / caregiver to take the needed cough medication and stop when symptoms clear up.