GENERAL NURSING MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS

AIMS

▪ To facilitate quick healing

▪ To promote mental, physical and psychological rest
▪ To prevent the spread of infection
▪ To correct the electrolyte imbalance
▪ To prevent complications and restore good health
▪ To educate the client on the cause transmission, disease process and prevention.

To achieve my objectives, I will provide my nursing care in the following manner;

ENVIRONMENT

• Depending on the severity of the condition, the patient will be admitted in the medical ward
(preferably a in a side ward) near the nurses bay for easy observations.
• Ensure that the room/environment is quiet to promote rest and relaxation which will aid in the
healing process.
• The room will be maintained clean by moping, sweeping and dump dusting to promote comfort,
• Proper ventilation for free circulation of air will be ensured, and good lighting for easy
observation
• All the accessories needed by the patient such as bed side lockers, cardiac table will be in place
for patient use.
• Emergency drugs and resuscitative equipment should be within reach in case of an emergency.
• In case of infectious conditions, the patient is isolated to prevent the spread of infection and all
precautions of infection prevention such as use of aprons, gloves, and other protective wears
are used when attending to the patient with infectious condition.

POSITION

• Depending on the condition, the patient will be nursed in the position he/she feels comfortable
but should not interfere with treatment regimen.
• The bed will be railed in case of restless (or unconscious pts) to prevent accidental falls.
• I will turn the patient every two hours to promote blood circulation thus preventing pressure
sore formation.
• In case of cardiac or respiratory conditions, will nurse the patient in a upright position by
elevating the head of the bed or/and use of a cardiac table to aid in lung expansion

PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE

• This care will help my patients mind to be ready for all the procedures to be done on him and to
accept the hospital environment
• I will explain the nature of the condition and type of treatment he is to receive to allay anxiety
and gain his cooperation during and after treatment. This will be done in a simple language
which he clearly understands.

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Samasumo Kay, Livingstone School of Nursing, Box 60091, e-mail samasumok2007@yahoo.com
 • I will provide him with an opportunity to ask questions, express his fears and anxiety as
verbalization reduces tension during hospital stay.
• I will consider the relatives and significant others in the nursing care plan for the patient so as to
promote a sense of belonging. This will also help gain cooperation from the patient and relatives
as well as uplifting the patients self concept and feel loved.
• All procedures to be done will be explained to him in advance to gain his cooperation.
• Privacy will be maintained at all times and all his realistic wishes respected.

REST AND EXERCISE

Rest will be promoted in the acute stage of the condition and as the patient’s condition improves,
exercises will be introduced gradually to aid in the healing.

• Patient will be encouraged to be having resting periods to enhance healing process

• Patient should avoid strenuous exercises to prevent fatigue which may delay the healing
process.
• Procedures will be done systematically and collectively to allow patient have enough time to
rest.
• The place will be maintained quiet by reducing the number of visitors, oiling the trolleys, putting
on rubber shoes, putting cell phones on vibration to avoid disturbing the patient while he is
resting.

OBSERVATIONS

• Vital signs which are temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure will be done ¼ hourly in
the initial stage, ½ hourly, 2 hourly, then 4 hourly as condition improves and these will act as
baseline data and help to monitor the progress of the patient’s condition.
• Temperature to rule out fever which indicate setting in of infection or no improvement of the
condition, respirations to rule out dyspnea, blood pressure to rule out hypotension or
hypertension, pulse to rule out tachycardia or bradycardia
• Observe the patient reaction to hospitalization as this can lead to deterioration of the condition
and will help to prepare the care for the patient adequately.
• Observe the general condition of the patient which will help to priorities the care for the
patient.
• Observe feeding pattern to rule out anorexia, or any condition of the mouth, these may help to
decide on the feeding route.
• Observe the tubings or drains for patency.
• Observe the skin tugor to assess the level of dehydration in case of diarrhea or vomiting.

HYGIENE

NUTRITION AND FLUID

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Samasumo Kay, Livingstone School of Nursing, Box 60091, e-mail samasumok2007@yahoo.com
ELIMINATION

MEDICAL TREATMENT

INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

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Samasumo Kay, Livingstone School of Nursing, Box 60091, e-mail samasumok2007@yahoo.com