Care of Unconscious Patient

Care of an Unconscious Patient

• An unconscious patient is defined as a state of unawareness, requiring the nurse to organize activities to meet the patient's needs.

Common Causes of Unconsciousness

• Diabetic hypoglycemic attacks
• Grand mal seizures
• Alcoholism
• Electrical burns
• Stroke (heatstroke, CVA, etc.)
• Intra-cranial embolism (head injury)
• Poisoning (food, lead, chemical, etc.)
• Shock (hemorrhagic, anaphylactic, traumatic, etc.)
• Febrile convulsions
• Allergies (drugs, insect bites, etc.)

Types of Unconsciousness

• Stupor: a state of partial consciousness, where the patient responds to painful stimuli but cannot answer simple questions.
• Coma: a state of complete unconsciousness, where all reflexes are absent, and the patient does not respond to any stimuli.
• Coma vigil: a state of complete unconsciousness, where the patient's eyes are wide open, indicating extreme exhaustion.

Requirements for Care

• Bath trolley
• Mouth care tray
• Diagnostic sets
• TPR tray
• Injection tray
• Oxygen cylinder with apparatus
• Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope
• Naso-gastric tube feeding tray
• Suction apparatus

Nursing Care

• Psychological support: establish a good rapport with the patient and relatives, explain procedures, reassure and treat with respect and dignity.
• Maintenance of airway: establish a patent airway, suction if necessary, and administer oxygen when necessary.
• Position and rest: place the patient in the lateral or semi-prone position, change position every 2 hours, and use sandbags to prevent foot drop.
• Observation: check temperature, BP, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) regularly, record intake and output, and observe for twitching.
• Personal hygiene: give bed baths, keep patient warm, give mouth care, and treat pressure areas.
• Nutrition: provide intravenous feeds or infusions, naso-gastric tube feeding, and oral feeds when swallowing reflex returns.
• Elimination: catheterize the patient, change soiled linen, and record accurate intake and output.
• Administration of medication: give prescribed drugs as ordered and observe for desired and side effects.
• Prevention of injury: raise side rails, pad them to prevent injury, and assist with physiotherapy exercises.

Last Offices (Care of the Dead)

• Purpose: maintain dignity, prevent infection, and ensure legal and cultural considerations.
• Requirements: listed on a trolley, including bowl, soap, comb, nail brush, and scissors.
• Procedure: screen the bed, contact nurse in charge, note the time vital signs ceased, remove appliances, straighten limbs, close eyes and mouth, cover the body, and inform relatives.
• Additional procedures: give the deceased a bed bath, clean nostrils, ears, and mouth, replace dentures, trim nails, and shave male patients.

Conclusion

• Nursing care involves assisting the individual in performing activities that contribute to health or recovery, or peaceful death.
• The nurse's unique function is to provide care that promotes health, recovery, or peaceful death.

Care of an Unconscious Patient

• An unconscious patient is defined as a state of unawareness, requiring the nurse to organize activities to meet the patient's needs.

Common Causes of Unconsciousness

• Diabetic hypoglycemic attacks
• Grand mal seizures
• Alcoholism
• Electrical burns
• Stroke (heatstroke, CVA, etc.)
• Intra-cranial embolism (head injury)
• Poisoning (food, lead, chemical, etc.)
• Shock (hemorrhagic, anaphylactic, traumatic, etc.)
• Febrile convulsions
• Allergies (drugs, insect bites, etc.)

Types of Unconsciousness

• Stupor: a state of partial consciousness, where the patient responds to painful stimuli but cannot answer simple questions.
• Coma: a state of complete unconsciousness, where all reflexes are absent, and the patient does not respond to any stimuli.
• Coma vigil: a state of complete unconsciousness, where the patient's eyes are wide open, indicating extreme exhaustion.

Requirements for Care

• Bath trolley
• Mouth care tray
• Diagnostic sets
• TPR tray
• Injection tray
• Oxygen cylinder with apparatus
• Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope
• Naso-gastric tube feeding tray
• Suction apparatus

Nursing Care

• Psychological support: establish a good rapport with the patient and relatives, explain procedures, reassure and treat with respect and dignity.
• Maintenance of airway: establish a patent airway, suction if necessary, and administer oxygen when necessary.
• Position and rest: place the patient in the lateral or semi-prone position, change position every 2 hours, and use sandbags to prevent foot drop.
• Observation: check temperature, BP, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) regularly, record intake and output, and observe for twitching.
• Personal hygiene: give bed baths, keep patient warm, give mouth care, and treat pressure areas.
• Nutrition: provide intravenous feeds or infusions, naso-gastric tube feeding, and oral feeds when swallowing reflex returns.
• Elimination: catheterize the patient, change soiled linen, and record accurate intake and output.
• Administration of medication: give prescribed drugs as ordered and observe for desired and side effects.
• Prevention of injury: raise side rails, pad them to prevent injury, and assist with physiotherapy exercises.

Last Offices (Care of the Dead)

• Purpose: maintain dignity, prevent infection, and ensure legal and cultural considerations.
• Requirements: listed on a trolley, including bowl, soap, comb, nail brush, and scissors.
• Procedure: screen the bed, contact nurse in charge, note the time vital signs ceased, remove appliances, straighten limbs, close eyes and mouth, cover the body, and inform relatives.
• Additional procedures: give the deceased a bed bath, clean nostrils, ears, and mouth, replace dentures, trim nails, and shave male patients.

Conclusion

• Nursing care involves assisting the individual in performing activities that contribute to health or recovery, or peaceful death.
• The nurse's unique function is to provide care that promotes health, recovery, or peaceful death.