Healthcare handbook Flashcards

1
Q

Acne - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Acne treatments can cause a flare up of acne initially, and can cause dryness of the skin. this means the medication is working. Should regularly moisturise. they can also make the skin more sensitive to sunlight - need a good SPF sunscreen
  2. avoid regular soap as this can dry out skin. use oil-free soap substitutes such as cetaphil or aqueous cream
  3. Apply treatments to whole affected area, not just spots, as blocked follicles can take weeks to emerge.
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2
Q

Childhood diseases - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. Only use paracetamol if really necessary, try to keep children comfortable e.g. keeping them in a cool dark room, keeping them in loose fitting breathable clothes.. Only use pain relief when required to aid discomfort
  2. most childhood diseases are contagious - keep them at home until they feel better
  3. keeping children and especially babies hydrated is very important. give them small sips of water or electrolytes frequently. seek medical advice if child refuses
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3
Q

Cold sores - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. do not scratch or pick at blisters. this can lead to transfer of infection to other areas (eyes particularly) or other people. keep lips moisturised to aboid cracking or peeling of blister
  2. Avoid sharing lip balms, cosmetics, towels etc. with other people
  3. treatments are most effective when applied at the first tingling sensation. not effective when blister has already formed
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4
Q

Constipation - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. Keep fibre intake up, even when not constipated. foods rich in fibre include wholegrains, beans and nuts. psillium husk can also be supplemented if needed
  2. keep hydrated and try to exercise - at least 30 mins a day
  3. do not resist the urge to go as holding on can make constipation worse
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5
Q

Cystitis - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. Avoid bath products, vaginal perfumes, douches as they can cause irritation. avoid alcohol, coffee, tea - makes urine more acidic
  2. wipe from front to back and do not resist the urge to go to the toilet - this can cause bacteria to multiply
  3. wear loose fitting clothing and underwear as tight clothing can produce a moist environment for bacteria to grow
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6
Q

Dandruff - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. dandruff can be triggered by stress. find ways to relieve stress if this is a trigger for you e.g. meditation
  2. If one treatment product doesn’t work, relief may be obtained from a different medicated product
  3. tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and antifungal. daily shampooing with teat tree oil can reduce frequency
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7
Q

Dermatitis/eczema - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. try to identify potential triggers for your eczema and avoid them if possible
  2. do not use regular soap as this can dry out your skin. make sure to moisturise regularly and use a soap substitute
  3. do not scratch eczema as this can irritate the skin and give rise to skin infections if the skin cracks. steroid creams and anti-itch preparations such as pinetarsol can help reduce itch
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8
Q

Diarrhoea and vomiting - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. Electrolyte replacement is important to keep hydrated (vomiting and diarrhoea causes dehydraton). water not as effective as it does not contain enough electrolytes. small volumes frequently as large amounts can cause vomiting. avoid juice or fizzy as sugar content can worsen diarrhoea.
  2. eating is encouraged. dry plain foods are preferred. if person does not want to eat, electrolyte replacement is sufficient. if symptoms persist longer than 24 hours, seek medical advice. if vomiting is constant for more than 3 hours in babies, seek medical advice
  3. most causes are infectious - keep up regular hand washing and hygiene
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9
Q

Eye conditions - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. wash hands before and after using eye drops. do not touch dropper bottle to eye as this can spread infection
  2. try not to blink too much as this can wash away the eye drops. press gently against corner of eye for a minute or two to prevent draining into tear duct
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10
Q

Fungal nail infections - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. treatment time can vary - can take up to a couple of months. nail may not grow back for 6 to 18 months.
  2. wear jandals/protective footwear when in public gyms, showers, pools etc as it is contagious. wear comfortable shoes to prevent trauma to the nail
  3. antifungal foot powders should be used in shoes and on the feet
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11
Q

Gout - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. acute relief should be taken at the first sign of a gout attack. will not help to prevent attacks - medical advice should be sought
  2. avoid foods high in purines (red meat, seafood, alcohol, high sugar drinks). chicken and seafood, vegetables appropriate. drink lots of water
  3. exercise and weight management important to reduce frequency of attacks
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12
Q

Osteoarthritis - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. supportive footwear can help protect joints
  2. exercise is important to help keep joints moving. weight bearing exercise is good e.g. walking, tai chi. non-weight bearing includes aqua jogging
  3. weight control helps keep stress off the joints
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13
Q

Psoriasis - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. stress is a common trigger of psoriasis. try to practice stress relief e.g. meditation
  2. keep a healthy diet and avoid alcohol as this can exacerbate psoriasis
  3. use moisturisers and soap substitutes often to prevent cracking and sore skin. may also help with itch.
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14
Q

Scabies - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. treat everyone in the family at the same time, even if not showing symptoms. repeat after 7 days if rash still present. itch can persist for weeks - not a clear sign of infection
  2. put all bed linens, clothes, towels etc through a hot wash and allow to dry in the sun. do not share these things
  3. apply the lotion to the whole body from the top of the head down to the toes - apply downwards and outwards, including soles of feet, back, genitals. finish by applying between fingers and toes and under nails
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15
Q

Smoking cessation - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. quitting smoking can take several attempts - one failed attempt does not mean you cant try again
  2. making a plan to quit rather than quitting cold turkey can have greater success - make a diary of times where you reach for a cigarette, talk with a smoking cessation provider for tips to help with cravings
  3. Make your car and home smokefree - remove all ashtrays, wash smoky clothes
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16
Q

Travel sickness - 3 key pieces of advice

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  1. focus attention on the horizon. avoid tasks that require focus and take the eyes off the road e.g. reading book, playing on phone
  2. travel sickness medicines are best taken 1 hour before or even the night before a trip (note: most may make you sleepy)
  3. get plenty of fresh air and keep food light
17
Q

Urticaria (hives) - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. avoid triggers if known - most are non-allergic e.g. stinging nettles, heat, infections. allergic includes food allergy, bee stings, latex
  2. cool the affected area with an ice pack or cold flannel and avoid alcohol as this can dilate blood vessels, worsening hives
  3. if symptoms do not improve or get worse over the next few days, see the doctor
18
Q

Vaginal thrush - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. wear loose fitting clothing, specifically underwear. tight clothing creates a moist environment for the infection to grow
  2. avoid vaginal perfumes, soaps etc as this can irritate the area
  3. take probiotics while on antibiotics to replace good bacteria within the vagina
19
Q

Warts - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. do not pick or scratch the wart, this can transfer infection to other parts of the body or to other people
  2. wear protective footwear in public areas e.g. gyms, pools as warts spread easily through wet surfaces
  3. keep warts covered to prevent spread - keeping warts covered may also speed up healing time
20
Q

Worms - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. wash all bed linens, towels etc through a hot wash and allow to dry in the sun.
  2. while treating, shower at night and then again in the morning to remove eggs; undress children in the shower
  3. wash hands thoroughly before and after eating and using toilet. keep fingernails short
21
Q

Haemorrhoids - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Keep a diet high in fibre (vegetables, fruit, wholegrains) and drink plenty of water
  2. Do not ignore the urge to go. Holding on can lead to increased pressure
  3. Get plenty of exercise and avoid sitting for long periods of time
22
Q

Hay fever - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Start preventative treatment early in the season and take it regularly, especially if triggers are unavoidable. Corticosteroids may take several days to start working.
  2. Eye symptoms generally reduce as nasal symptoms improve
  3. Identify triggers and avoid where possible I.e. avoiding parks and high pollen areas, wash hands and face upon returning home
23
Q

Indigestion and heartburn - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Avoid bending over or lying down after a meal. this makes it easier for acid to travel up the oesophagus
  2. Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bed to help with nighttime symptoms. Avoid high fat food, alcohol, spicy foods etc
  3. If symptoms become more frequent over time, see the doctor.
24
Q

Migraine - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Rest in a darkened, quiet room. Heat packs may provide relief
  2. Keep a migraine diary to identify triggers for your migraine – foods, stress, menstrual cycle, exercise
  3. Do not use pain relief too frequently as this can cause a rebound headache
25
Q

Nappy rash - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Change nappies often and use a soap substitute to cleanse the area before each nappy change
  2. Allow for nappy-free time – allows airflow to the area
  3. Apply a barrier cream after cleaning the area to prevent faeces and urine coming into contact with the skin – if using antifungal cream, apply first before barrier cream
26
Q

Sprains and strains - 3 key pieces of advice

A
  1. Avoid heat rubs/packs for first 72 hours. after 24 hours, start gentle, non-weight bearing exercise
  2. PRICE - apply ice pack for 20 mins then use compression bandage to stop swelling. keep area elevated to stop bleeding to site and to reduce pain. repeat every few hours for the first 2 days
  3. if injury has no improvement after 2 days, or swelling gets worse, see the doctor