Healthcare Chapter 12: Patient Needs

Patient Comfort and Physiological Needs

• Many patients experience anxiety due to fear of diagnosis, impact of illness on family dynamics, and concerns over modesty.
• Professional demeanor and detailed explanations can alleviate patient anxiety.
• Check patient charts to confirm if they are allowed oral fluids and record intake accurately.

Elimination Needs

• Always inquire if the patient needs to use the restroom before commencing long procedures.
• Provide appropriate assistance, such as a urinal or bedpan, maintaining patient privacy and comfort.
• Ensure urinary collection bags remain below the bladder to prevent backflow.

Body Positions in Healthcare

• Common body positions:
  • Supine (lying on back)
  • Prone (lying on stomach)
  • Lateral (lying on side)
  • Sims position (half-stomach, half-side)
  • Fowler position (sitting up)
  • Semi-Fowler position (leaning back slightly)
  • Trendelenburg (lying down with legs elevated)
  • Knee-chest position (kneeling on the bed with chest down)
  • Lithotomy position (lying on back with legs in stirrups)
• Positioning aids enhance patient comfort.

Considerations for Special Populations

• Elderly and debilitated patients have a higher risk of falls and may have fragile skin due to decreased subcutaneous fat.
• Safety measures must be heightened for these populations to prevent injuries.

Use of Restraints and Immobilization

• Restraints prioritize patient safety and require a physician's order for application.
• Immobilization techniques stabilize patients to prevent movement during procedures, using tools like sponges and sandbags.

Signs of Abuse and Neglect

• Child Abuse Indicators:

  • Multiple injuries, cigarette burns, bruises, bite marks, and scalding patterns.
  • Unexplained injuries consistent with nonaccidental trauma (NAT).

• Signs of Elder Abuse:

  • Bruises, broken bones, and pressure marks suggest physical abuse.
  • Emotional indicators include withdrawal from activities and sudden changes in mood.
  • Financial exploitation may be signaled by abrupt changes in financial situation.
  • Neglect manifests as untreated medical needs and poor hygiene.

Key Terms Review

• Battered child syndrome, nonaccidental trauma (NAT), catheter, colostomy, ileostomy, immobility, decubitus ulcer, restraints, lordosis, kyphosis, emesis, stoma, urinary incontinence.

This quiz focuses on Chapter 12 regarding the response to patients' personal and physical needs. It covers essential skills such as draining and measuring urine output, recognizing common comfort needs, proper body positioning, and complications of improper positioning. Test your knowledge on these fundamental healthcare practices.