Care of Unconscious Patient

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.