PATIENT AND PATIENCE

Making a Bed

1. Why do we need to know how to make an unoccupied and occupied bed?

           So that if the time comes for us to be a home nurse to our family, we would know on how to make them sleep soundly, and comfortably. They would get well sooner and faster.

2. How does making a bed help in the fast recovery of our patient?

           Sleep is very important for our body. It allows us to rest and recover from the day's actions. A sleep can repair all the damages that have occurred earlier. A sleep can change our mood to a very cheerful one. A sleep can also help a patient recover fast. One factor to have a good sleep is the arrangement of the bed. If it is very messy, then one cannot sleep well. So if the patient sleeps in a properly arranged bed, then he or she can recover fast from her illness.

3. As a good home nurse, how will you be able to render your services to your patient through bed making?

           If I, the home nurse, had made the bed neatly, then the patient will be able to sleep and lie comfortably. He/she can be more relaxed and would lessen his/her stress. The making of bed neatly will help him/her recover fast. If the bed is improperly made, then the patient would not be able to sleep comfortably for he/she will be distracted by the moving of the bed sheet or the foldings.

 Bathing the Patient

1. Why do you need to give a bath to the patient?

           So that he or she would be comfortable and feel refreshed. Cleanliness helps a patient to recover faster. To be clean, is to take bath. A sick person cannot take a bath alone so we, home nurses, should be there to assist them and help them take a bath. The patient also needs to take a bath so that the germs from the body would be washed away. Bathing the patient would also make him or her be relaxed and would also serve as his or her exercise. A bath would also stimulate the circulation of blood in the body and this would aid in the elimination of certain wastes in the body.

2. What are the materials needed for bed bath or sponge bath?

           2 big towels, 2 small towels, rubber sheet, a basin with warm water, soap, and a light blanket are the materials needed for a bed bath or sponge bath.

3. What’s the importance of using a urinal or bedpan?

           A urinal is important if the patient is expected to remain bedridden for a long period of time.

4. What do you mean by back rub?

           Back rub is the same as of massage. Massage is the manipulating of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, decrease muscle reflex activity, inhibit motor-neuron excitability[1], promote relaxation and well-being[2][3], and as a recreational activity.

5. How do you differentiate cold compress from hot compress?

           We apply cold compress to relieve pain, to decrease the inflammation of skin and for relaxation purpose while hot compress is being applied to relieve pain and congestion.