2. HOME CARE NURSING
- is the act of looking after a sick
person at home so that he or
she, the patient, receives help
from the caregiver.
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
HOME NURSE:
a. Care about others
b. Respect for all people
c. Honesty
d. Respect for the privacy of others
e. Dependability
f. Working well with others
g. Courtesy and considerateness
h. Good communication skills
i. Determination and flexibility
j. Eagerness to learn
k. Cleanliness and health consciousness
4. ADVANTAGES OF HOME NURSING
1. The patient would feel secure and can be
attended immediately by the home caregiver.
2. It increases the patient’s self confidence and
encourages independence.
3. Food preferences can easily be provided.
4. It minimizes the disruption of usual tasks or
activities at home.
5. It is relatively less expensive than hospital
care.
6. It helps decongest clinics and hospitals.
5. COMPLAINTS OF PATIENTS AT HOME:
1. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES
- these may be caused by:
a. food that blocks up the nose like crumbs or liquid inhaled.
b. asthma attack
c. lungs filled with fluid
d. forcing the patient to breathe through the mouth until the
throat becomes sore.
* A home nurse can help the patient breathe easily through
changing the patient’s position frequently or sitting the patient
up in an armchair.
6. 2. COUGHS
- can be hard or dry.
*Medicines ease the pained distress of coughing and may
be given at night to give the patient comfort and
undisturbed rest.
3. ASTHMA and HICCUPS
- these can be relieved by medicines prescribed by doctors
and hence, should always be within the patient’s reach.
* To prevent asthma attack or hiccups, the caregiver can
help the patient do the following:
a. Sit upright c. Drink water
b. Take medication d. Blow into a paper bag
7. 4. SLEEPING PROBLEM
- This may be caused by pain, lack of exercise or activity,
anxiety, too much fluid or caffeine intake late in the day.
* The caregiver can always remind the patient to lessen
fluid or caffeine intake late in the day to help patient avoid
difficulties sleeping. Moreover, the caregiver can think of
plan a fitting exercise or activity for the patient should the
latter lack such.
5. UNCONTROLLED URINATION
-this is often caused by urinary tract infections or electrolyte
and calcium abnormalities.
* Regular toileting schedule at 2 to 3 hour intervals or
verbal prompting may lessen uncontrollable urination.
8. 6. AGITATION AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
- These may be caused by physical discomfort or by
unfamiliar surroundings or persons.
* The caregiver should help the patient avoid doing
complicated tasks or having frustrating interactions with
certain persons to keep the latter’s agitation and
aggressiveness in low.
