Long term care
Today I finished the long term care clinical section of nursing fundamentals class. I was able to interact with and help care for several very special patients. My time spent with these patients was very rewarding and meaningful. Mr. X and I spent a long time viewing the tropical fish in the tanks in the lobby. We had a great conversation and he really enjoyed being away from the floor.
Another day, I helped with a.m care of several patients. I found this part to be very difficult. It is logistically difficult to maneuver and bath an immobile, obese and incontinent patient. It is even more difficult to does so while maintaining the patient’s dignity. I found it very difficult to watch a patient suffer from awful nausea and watch her vomit on herself during her bath. It was, however, rewarding to then be able to assess her needs and help her be more comfortable for the rest of the morning.
Overall the most important things that I learned were that it is important to thoroughly investigate the symptoms of older patients. For example a patient who seems confused and is not answering your questions appropriately may just need his/her hearing aid adjusted (or put in). It is also very important to treat each patient as an adult and as a valuable human, always maintaining their dignity and treating with utmost repsect.
6 months ago • Notes