#49016 - Venes: Taber’s Cyclopedia Medical Dictionary -- 21st Edition -- FA Davis
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2638 Appendix 12 General Patient Care Concerns
APPENDIX 12
General Patient Care Concerns
Standard precautions Standard
precautions are used whenever blood and
body fluids may be encountered and when
patient hygiene is provided.
Confidentiality Information about
the patient, including details of his/her ill-
ness and treatments are shared only with
those parties specifically designated by
the patient.
Communication with patients,
families and other supportive persons
The patient and his/her significant others
are encouraged to express their concerns;
questions they have are answered hon-
estly or referred to the appropriate mem-
ber of the health team for answers; sup-
port, comfort and encouragement are
offered to assist the patient and family to
cope with the stresses of illness and ther-
apy.
Empathy The patient’s emotional
status is assessed regularly. Emotional
and psychological support for the patient
and significant others is offered on an on-
going basis, with referral for specialized
therapy if needed.
Monitoring Vital signs, fluid and
electrolyte balance (including all fluid in-
take, urine and all other fluid output),
weight, ventilation, cardiovascular, gas-
trointestinal (including food intake, bowel
sounds, and bowel activity), neuromuscu-
lar, neurological, and pain status are mon-
itored. Changes in status are recorded and
reported.
Rest and activity Environmental
stimuli (especially noise and light) are
minimized to assist the patient to rest,
and relaxation and verbalization of con-
cerns are encouraged. The patient is as-
sisted to turn and reposition in good body
alignment while in bed, and is aided to sit
in a chair and to ambulate using pre-
scribed assistive devices at prescribed fre-
quencies and lengths of time. Hygienic
care is encouraged and provided for pa-
tients unable to care for themselves.
Preparation for diagnostic tests
and treatments The patient is pre-
pared for diagnostic testing by explaining
all procedures and sensations that are ex-
pected to occur, including their duration
and intensity, as well as common side ef-
fects. The patient is advised to report any
sensations outside the norm for the par-
ticular test and anything that concerns
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him/her. (See individual tests and treat-
ments for specific information.)
Medication administration All
prescribed medications are reviewed with
the patient (and a family member as nec-
essary), including prescribed dosage and
dosing schedules, desired actions, poten-
tial for drug interactions, and common ad-
verse and allergic reactions. This review
may involve collaboration and clarifica-
tion from other health care professionals,
including nurse specialists, pharmacists,
and the medication prescriber.
Pain management Pain status re
location, quality, severity, and duration is
monitored frequently, prescribed analge-
sics are administered and the patient as-
sessed for effectiveness (in both situations
using a #1-10 severity scale). Noninvasive
pain relief strategies such as application
of ice or heat, relaxation techniques, im-
agery, repositioning, massage, or music
therapy may be effective adjuncts for in-
dividual conditions/patients.
Postoperative concerns The sur-
gical site is assessed and cared for based
on the agency’s or specific surgeon’s pro-
tocol for the particular surgical procedure.
Surgical drains and associated hardware
also require assessment, management,
and recordkeeping. The patient is moni-
tored for nausea and vomiting, fluid bal-
ance, and body temperature.
Patient education The education
of patients (and their significant others as
necessary) emphasizes self-care proce-
dures, signs and symptoms to report im-
mediately to the primary caregiver, activ-
ities and restrictions, nutrition, and the
potential emotional impact of illness,
treatment, and recovery. Effective coping
strategies related to the patient’s condi-
tion are explained. Desired outcomes in-
clude an understanding of and compliance
with the prescribed treatment regimen.
Support groups The patient and
family are encouraged to talk with others
in similar circumstances, e.g., by contact-
ing and enrolling in available and appro-
priate support groups and services.
Referrals Referrals for rehabilita-
tive services or home health care specific
to the particular illness problem may be
prescribed or may be needed to help the
chronically ill patient manage activities of
daily living. Hospice referrals may be ini-
tiated for end of life care.
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