2. DEFINITION.
• Malaria is an acute infectious disease caused
by protozoa which is introduced into the
body through the bite of an infected female
anopheles mosquito.
• Most malaria cases in Ghana is caused by
the Falciparium.
• The incubation period is between 10 – 15
days with the Falciparium.
3. PARASITES THAT CAUSES
MALARIA.
Malaria is caused by 4 species of plasmodium
namely;
• PLASMODIUM VIVAX.
• PLAMODIUM OVALE.
• PLASMODIUM MALARIAE.
• PLASMODIUM FALCIPARIUM.
4. MODE OF TRANSMISSION.
• Through the bite of a female Anopheles
mosquito.
• Through transfusion of an infected blood
with the malaria parasites.
• Through the use of shared contaminated
needles and syringes by drug users.
5. CLINICAL FEATURES.
• Fever
• Chills
• Sweating
• Malaise
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Muscle pain.
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight
• Dark brown coloured
urine.
• Convulsion in children.
7. NURSING MANAGEMENT.
• Psychological care.
• Rest and sleep.
• Observation.
• Nutrition.
• Exercise.
• Personal hygiene.
• Elimination.
• Medication.
Every nursing management must in include the following;
8. PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE.
• Reassure patient to allay fear and anxiety.
• Explain disease condition to patient and
relatives and allow them to ask questions and
answer tactfully.
• Explain all procedures to be carried on patient
to the patient and family.
9. REST AND SLEEP.
• Nurse patient in a serene and a well ventilated
room.
• Restrict visitors during sleeping hours.
• Provide low bed with side rails to prevent patient
from falls.
• All procedures to be carried out on patient must be
grouped to avoid disturbing the patient whiles
sleeping.
• Provide a comfortable bed free off creases and
crumps.
• Perform sleeping rituals for patient if he/she has.
like serving warm drinks or playing cool music.
10. OBSERVATION.
• Observe vital signs, record and report any abnormalities.
If temperature is high, tepid sponge and serve prescribed
anti pyretic medications.
• Observe vomitus for amount, odour, blood and colour.
• Observe bowl movement for constipation or diarrhoea.
• Observe for side effects of medications served.
• Observe stool for amount, odour and colour.
• Monitor input and output by maintaining the input and
out put chart to check for dehydration or over hydration.
11. NUTRITION.
• Serve a well balanced diet rich in protein, vitamin, iron and
carbohydrate to promote energy.
• Serve food in bits but at frequent intervals.
• Serve food attractively.
• Encourage patient to brush his/her teeth to boost appetite.
• Remove bed pans and all unattractive articles out of patients
sight.
• Encourage patient to drink more fluids to prevent dehydration
due to profuse sweating and vomiting.
12. PERSONAL HYGIENE.
• Encourage patient to bath at least twice daily.
• Encourage patient to brush his/her teeth at least
twice daily.
• Encourage patient to wash hands before eating and
after visiting the toilet.
• Encourage patient to change cloth and bed linen
daily due to sweating.
13. ELIMINATION.
• Serve bed pans and urinals to help patient
pass urine or faeces.
• Apply warm compress to patient lower
abdomen to help him pass urine or open
nearby taps to have psychological influence on
him/her to pass urine.
• Give enema to enable patient pass faeces.
16. PREVENTION OF MALARIA.
• By sleeping under well treated mosquito net.
• By applying mosquito repellants to the skin
• By wearing long pants and long sleeve in the evening
or during sleeping hours.
• By not staying outside for too long.
• By using insecticide sprays.
• By physically killing the mosquitoes.
• By covering doors and windows with screens.
• By clearing surrounding bushes.
17. PREVENTION OF MALARIA.
• By draining stagnant waters.
• By ensuring proper refuse disposal.
• By pouring oil on the surface of stagnant water to
prevent mosquitos from bleeding on it.
