0
Skin assessment is an important task for nurses and nursing assistants to perform during every shift; in frail or bedridden persons, the skin needs to be visually evaluated every 2 hours when turning the patient. Pressure sores, which begin as redness, can begin to develop within an hour of laying on a bony prominence such as shoulders, elbows, hips, spinal column, sides of knees, and the backs of heels. Skin breakdown can progress rapidly, and more so when the patient is incontinent of stool or urine. Wrinkles in sheets or bedclothes, crumbs or food on the sheets, and incontinence all contribute to rapid breakdown of skin tissues.
Some patients who would need frequent skin assessment include:
- immobile patients
- immediate post-op patients
- frail elderly patients
- extremely thin patients
- patients who are confined to a wheelchair
- patients who cannot lift their buttocks from a chair without help
- patients who are restrained (soft or hard restraints)
If a patient is able to move his or her own body weight, the skin rarely breaks down.
Since most skin breakdown occurs in patients with a lack of mobility, they will need assistance to move and reduce pressure on bones. The type of assistance varies, but could include patients who need:
- a 1, 2, or 4 person assist to lift and/or turn/roll to the opposite side (such as a quad; or a post-op abdominal patient)
- Active Range of Motion (ROM) performed each shift
- assistance to use a bedpan, or assist to bathroom, or those patients who have an indwelling catheter
- assistance to lift higher onto the bed
- assistance to turn but the patients can do most of the work by themselves
- a full lift to re-position in a chair
- a full-assist to stand from a chair
Assessment includes looking at every inch of skin, with special attention to areas over bones/joints, the privates including under the scrotum in men and in all skin folds for overweight patients, the spine, hips, and heels/feet including the sides of each toe where one toe presses against another or presses against the bed.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Where can one get reliable patient assistance program?
There are a number of reliable patient assistance programs for individuals in need. These include: Partnership for prescription assistance, rxassist, and needymeds.
How is the need for gasteroenterologic surgery assessed?
The need for surgery of the esophagus, duodenum, stomach, colon, and intestines is assessed by medical history, general physical, and x ray after the patient swallows barium for maximum visibility.
What are you do for quit the smoking?
To quit smoking you need to be patient, determind and also have the necessary assistance.
How heavy can you be and still skydive?
You need to be a generally healthy human being with an average fitness level. 100kg - 110kg need to be assessed on the day.
How do I distinguish between the psychological source from the physiological source of the illness of my patient?
The physiological symptoms and possible medical reasons need to be thoroughly assessed before looking at psychological
What is the primary need of First Aid?
Stabilization of the patient's vital signs until more qualified assistance can be obtained is the primary function of First Aid.
Does a doctor need patient consent for drug test and does the doctor have to disclose a drug test is being given to patient?
yes & yes
Is assistance for correct or is it assistance to?
Maybe assistance with, depending. He needs assistance with his homework. He gives assistance to her with her homework
Do you need to be patient to be a medical assistant?
Yes Most Defiantly You Need to be patient to become a medical assistant because you pretty much work with a lot with people in person also with Doctors as well!...I Think being patient is a big must if you have any job in the medical field!
How do the principles for safe moving and handling protect those in the social care setting from injury or harm?
Whether in social care or medical care settings, people who are ill, disabled, or debilitated often need assistance with daily living activities and movement. Some people are partially or entirely paralyzed, and need even more assistance. Others simply need 'stand by' assistance, but safety remains a concern for both the person and the helper.Every act of stand by assistance or hands on assist requires safety protocols, referred to as Body Mechanics. Body mechanics protect the person/patient and helper/worker. The first principle always involves education. The person/patient must have a clear explanation of how the 'assistance' must be given, and what the person must or must not do during the lift/assist. Often, long term patients know the routine well, but the worker should state the process anyway. The same safety principles apply whether the person is on the floor, in a chair, or on a bed.In addition, the helper must recognize before attempting to lift the need to get additional help when needed to ensure safety. A heavier patient or a more unsteady patient who fell and is on the floor may need more assistance from 2 or 3 helpers (*after first being assessed for injury prior to moving the person). A person who has an altered mental status or acute new problem (such as recent surgery) may not be able to understand directions, or may need 2-3 helpers until the person improves.The main principle involves protection of the helper's back while maintaining worker and patient balance and safety. A worker should adopt a wider stance, both feet flat on the floor, and use the worker's leg muscles and core muscles during the lift/assist. This means bending the knees, keeping the person (also applies to heavy objects) close to your body, and lifting using your legs. The person's arms should be around the lifter's shoulders/neck.Gait belts help protect unsteady persons from falls. Back brace / lift belts help workers keep correct posture and give added protection to muscles.Helpers must always seek to assist safely, for the well-being of both patient and helper.
Who decide if a patient is bed confined and need ambulance transportation?
I assume by the way the question is asked that it references "need" for ambulance transportation in the sense that a medical insurer would define it. That being the case, the insurer themselves sets the standard for what criteria must be met before a patient is deemed to "need" ambulance transportation. As you can imagine, this gets tricky. The concept of "bed confinement" is even trickier - and may or may not necessitate ambulance transportation in and of itself in the eyes of the payor. In most cases in the US, a patient is defined as "bed confined" by medicare standards if they are unable to stand or walk without assistance, unable to sit in a wheelchair without assistance, and unable to leave the bed without assistance. But again, different organizations have different definitions. Generally, a written and signed physician's statement is enough to justify ambulance transportation. However, for certain payors and in certain circumstances, a reason must be given for why a patient must be transported by ambulance as opposed to any other means. This can range from stating that the patient is "bed confined" to explaining, in detail, why the patient must go by ambulance in terms of what services must be provided to the patient during transport (cardiac monitoring, oxygen therapy, or medication administrations being the most common). Again, depending on the situation at hand, this may or may not answer your question. Feel free to ask more! NJM
What are the qualifications of Animal trainer?
You need to have experience with animals, love working with animals, a college degree, and being patient.
