Prevent dependency on a decongestant spray

A nurse is doing a clinical rotation in a family practice setting. You have been assigned to follow Ms. K through her visit to the primary care provider. As you complete your interview with Ms. K, she asks whether you can answer some questions.

1. She says, “I have a lot of stuffiness with my nose. I’m not sure whether I want to take anything for it because my friend told me that she started to take a medication that was a decongestant spray, and now she can’t stop taking it. Do you know anything about this?” What information does this patient need to make an informed decision? What teaching will you provide? How will you evaluate whether the teaching was effective?
2. She then asks, “Can anything be done to prevent dependency on a decongestant spray?” What teaching will you provide for this patient? How will you evaluate whether the teaching was effective?

Please help me with these questions.

Case Study

Fei Fong is a 60-year-old lady from a Chinese background. She has a hearing and sight impediment and is showing some early signs of dementia. She speaks little to no English. You are caring for Fei Fong during her recent hospital admission; she is scheduled to undergo a hip replacement under the care of Dr. Patel after a recent fall. She has Type 2 Diabetic and Hypertension. The doctor has charted Mrs. Fong’s medications for her Diabetes and Hypertension.

 

1.1 What are the eight (8) rights of medication administration that you will use to safely administer medications?  Provide a brief description of how each right is undertaken.

 

1.2 You note that your patient speaks little to no English and furthermore shows some early signs of dementia. Provide at least two strategies that you can use to ensure that the patient understands her medication regime and the importance of taking her medications?

 

1.3 One of the responsibilities of the nurse administering medications is to ensure that medications are kept secure during medication administration. What are some strategies that you would use to ensure this? Provide three (3) examples.

 

1.4 You are attempting to administer Mrs. Fong’s regular medications including those for Diabetes and Hypertension when the patient refuses their morning medication. Provide at least three actions that you would take as an Enrolled Nurse in this situation.

Data security and storage as one of the challenges of big data in clinical systems

Risks when handling used needles

You are working as health assistants at a local hospital. You work closely with

one of the nursing staff there. She is always in a hurry and asks you to take a lot of risks when

working with patients, such as not wearing gloves and handling used needles very carelessly.

Whenever you make suggestions or question her judgment, she brushes you both off and says

you do not know anything. You are only teenagers.

• Who should you talk to about this situation?
• Are there any laws that would protect you in this situation?
• List at least three options for handling this situation?

As a student, attend a local or state nurses association meeting to gain a better sense of the issues in the profession so that you can be prepared for what lies ahead when you graduate. How is the association addressing these issues? Do they interest you? How can you get involved?