On certain occasions, a patient who has had a stroke will need assistance in dressing themselves due to weakness on one side of the body or in certain limbs. Assisting your patient with daily activities helps the patient to feel that they are in control of their situation. Before you assist a patient with dressing, wash your hands carefully to avoid transmission of germs. Ensure that a clean set of clothes is available and ready to wear. Greet your patient, and explain that you want to help them get dressed or change clothes. Then, follow these steps to assist your patient: Show
When the task is complete, ensure dirty clothes are placed in the appropriate receptacle. Wash your hands again. Helping your patient learn self-care skills such as dressing will allow the patient to regain their independance and will speed recovery. Expert Tip By Tanya Glover, CNA Dressing a dependant patient can be a challenge, and each one is different. What works for one may not work for another. Our patients are all individuals and this is something that we sometimes forget. During this part of your skills test, it is important to remember not to pull, push or otherwise roughly manipulate your “patient”. For me it helped to talk to my “patient” during the process, letting them know each thing I was doing and allowing them time to help or respond to the care I was providing. In fact, talking to your “patient” during any of the skills you are tested on (aside from hand washing) is a good idea. It will help you feel less nervous and allow you to talk yourself through each step aloud. The main thing, aside from patient safety, is to allow your patients to do as much dressing as they are able to do. A mistake we all make at one point or another is doing every little thing for them. This takes away from their independence. Even if your patient likes this type of care, encourage as much self care as possible. If you don’t let them do the things they can, their muscles will atrophy and then they really will be helpless. Even dependant patients can do a little something to help with their dressing activities. If they can lift their arm a few inches to get their shirt on, let them do it! If they can help slide their feet into their own shoes, allow it! Keep their bodies as active as possible and you will have preformed a job well done. Chapter 3. Safe Patient Handling, Positioning, and Transfers When patients are recovering from illness, they may require assistance to move around in bed, to transfer from bed to wheelchair, or to ambulate. Changing patient positions in bed and mobilization are also vital to prevent contractures from immobility, maintain muscle strength, prevent pressure ulcers, and help body systems function properly for optimal health and healing (Perry et al., 2014). The amount of assistance each patient will require depends on the patient’s previous health status, age, type of illness, and length of stay (Perry et al., 2014). Types of AssistanceAt times, patients are assessed and given a “level of assistance” required for transferring. This is most common in residential care settings. The level of assistance is based on the patient’s ability to transfer and stand. The terms describing different levels of assistance are used by health care providers to communicate with each other so everyone understands what type of assistance is required. The assistance needed is usually charted on the patient’s Kardex, above the head of the bed, and/or on the patient’s chart. Table 3.4 describes different types of assistance in the hospital and community setting. Table 3.4 Level of Assistance
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If the patient is cooperative, able to bear weight, and has some balance to sit (see Checklist 24: Risk Assessment), the health care provider must decide how much assistance the patient needs. Table 3.5 provides guidelines to consider. Table 3.5 Assistance Required for Transfer
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Which type of footwear is advised for a patient to wear during a transfer procedure?The person should also wear shoes, or socks with nonslip soles. This will help prevent you or the person from slipping. Check that equipment will not move during a transfer. Lock the wheels of a wheelchair or walker before you move the person.
What should the patient be wearing on the feet during a transfer quizlet?The patient must be physically able to bear weight on the body and to ambulate. What should be on the patient's feet during a transfer? The patient's feet should have non-skid shoes or slippers on.
What is a two person assist?Two-person assist with transfer board. The patient is cooperative and can follow directions. The patient can use their arms, but cannot bear weight on both legs. The patient does not have good trunk control. The patient's wheelchair has removable arms.
Which procedure should be used to turn patient who have arthritis or spinal injuries?To turn persons with arthritis in their spines, hips, and knees, logrolling is preferred.
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