Week 14: Patient Care II

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Duration: 3 hours

I. Skin Integrity and Pressure Ulcer Prevention (1 hour)
   A. Importance of Maintaining Skin Integrity
      1. Functions of the skin and consequences of impaired skin integrity
         Example: Healthy skin acts as a barrier against infection and injury; impaired skin integrity increases the risk of infection, pain, and delayed wound healing.
      2. Factors affecting skin integrity
         Example: Age, nutritional status, and immobility are factors that can impact skin integrity and increase the risk of pressure ulcers.
   B. Pressure Ulcer Prevention Strategies
      1. Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution
         Example: Nursing assistants should reposition immobile patients at least every 2 hours and use pressure redistribution devices, such as foam cushions or air mattresses, to prevent pressure ulcers.
      2. Skin care and moisture management
         Example: Nursing assistants should keep patients' skin clean and dry, applying moisturizers to prevent dryness and using barrier creams to protect from moisture-related skin damage.

II. Fall Prevention and Safety (1 hour)
   A. Understanding Fall Risks in Healthcare Settings
      1. Consequences of falls for patients and healthcare providers
         Example: Falls can lead to injuries, increased hospital stays, and decreased quality of life for patients, and may result in legal consequences for healthcare providers.
      2. Identifying fall risk factors
         Example: Risk factors for falls include patient age, cognitive impairment, medication side effects, and environmental hazards.
   B. Implementing Fall Prevention Strategies
      1. Patient assessment and fall risk identification
         Example: Nursing assistants should assess patients for fall risk factors and communicate this information to the healthcare team to develop appropriate prevention strategies.
      2. Environmental modifications and patient education
         Example: Nursing assistants can help prevent falls by ensuring that patients' rooms are free of clutter, providing non-slip footwear, and educating patients on the importance of asking for assistance when needed.

III. Incontinence Care and Management (1 hour)
   A. Understanding Incontinence and Its Impact on Patients
      1. Types and causes of incontinence
         Example: Urinary incontinence can be caused by factors such as aging, medications, or medical conditions, while fecal incontinence may result from muscle weakness or nerve damage.
      2. Psychological and physical effects of incontinence
         Example: Incontinence can negatively impact a patient's self-esteem, independence, and overall quality of life and may lead to skin irritation or infection.
   B. Strategies for Incontinence Care and Management
      1. Providing appropriate incontinence care products
         Example: Nursing assistants should ensure patients have access to appropriate incontinence care products, such as absorbent pads or briefs, and assist with product selection and fitting as needed.
      2. Maintaining patient dignity and hygiene during incontinence care
         Example: Nursing assistants should provide privacy during incontinence care, cleanse the perineal area thoroughly, and apply barrier creams to protect the skin from moisture-related damage.

Upon completing Week 14, students will have acquired essential skills related to patient care, including maintaining skin integrity, preventing falls, and managing incontinence. These skills are crucial for providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings, ensuring their safety, dignity, and overall well-being.

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