Special patient care Flashcards
List what the RCVS states for clients to told to give consent
Clear written information about practice arrangement and information about patient care and out of hours
Ensure skills being used to treat patients are up to date and with in competency
Keep clear records
Make client aware who is performing what
Treat all clients fairly without discrimination
What are consent forms needed for?
Euthanasia
Surgical or medical procedures
List what is required on a medical consent form
Patient and owner details Contact number Cost outline Medical history Last eaten and drank Vet surgery and staff details Owner signature Date Procedure risks, extra procedures DNR
List what is required on a euthanasia consent form
Animal and owner details Practice details Date Owner signature Method of disposal including donor options Details consent for euthanasia Costs involved and how to pay
What needs to be done in accompaniment of written consent forms?
Verbal discussing fully informing client of situation
What needs explaining to an owner to allow them to give informed consent?
Nature, purpose and benefit of treatment Likely outcomes and risks Financial estimates Further possible procedures Range of available options
What situation doesn’t need owner consent?
Delay in gaining consent would cause adverse affects to animals welfare
Who can gain consent from an owner?
Usually the vet but can be delegated to anyone with good understanding of procedure and risks
What to do in the case an owner won’t listen to costs, risks etc?
Document clearly
Should the owner be given a copy of a consent form?
Yes
What to do if the planned treatment changess?
Make owner aware as soon as possible and record on clinical records
Can under 16s give consent?
Only with a parent countersigning
Can under 18s make a binding contract?
No, can’t be liable for fees
When does particular care need to be taken when providing treatment to an animal who’s owner is under 18?
When treatment involves controlled drugs
How should clinical records be kept?
Secure and confidential
Backed up when electronic
How long do clinical records need to be kept?
Determined by practices own policies, except records of controlled drugs which need keeping for 5 years
What needs to be protected when destroying records?
Confidentiality
What happens if owner wants to erase data?
Right to do so if no longer needed, consent is withdrawn or data was gained unlawfully.
Practice can refuse when needs to keep to comply with legal obligation
Explain the process of admitting a patient
Use GA consent form and explain process to client in quiet room in appropriate terminology, dont make assumptions
Go over insurance policy
Give information about contacting after procedure including phone number
Weight patient
Use practice protocols for leads, collars etc
Put in kennel and write on ops board
How to ensure client is reassured while patient is in vet practice?
Give clear details of when to expect to be contacted
If get too busy delegate updates to someone with time
Explain the process of discharging a patient
Make sure patient is ready
Talk to owner about after care, medications etc. before bringing patient in
Book follow up appointment and contact details if need to contact before appointment
List the general requirements for special patient care
Warmth Security Food and water Toilet opportunity TPR monitoring Mental stimulation Medication, wound care Grooming
What is meant by a holistic approach to patient care?
Addressing patient as a whole and not just a disease, accounting for physical and emotional health so is a tailored approach
Explain the stages of observations
Subjective- own opinion that can’t be measured, usually by nurse
Objective- measurable medical parameters, usually by nurse
Assessment- diagnosis, condition and vital signs of a patient, usually by vet
Plan- what to do next, usually by vet
What is useful information to find out about a patient before admitting?
Normal routine Bedding Food type and bowls Normal toileting routine Temperature preference Interactions with others
How to provide heat to a patient?
Hot hands Wheat bags Hot water bottle Bear hugger Lamps Bubble wrap Make sure patient can move away from source
How to nurse for urination and defecation
Record output and effort
Catheterise when needed
Samples when needed
Type of surface usually goes on
How to provide mental stimulation to hospitalised patients?
Spend time with patients, walking, grooming, play time
Boredom toys
Owner visits when suitable
How to manage patients that cant move well?
Be aware of when movement is compromised and adjust kennel to suit, move water and food close and have padded bedding
Keep regular movement
How to manage food intake in patients in hospital?
Only force feed when necessary
Try to give the most appetising food in normal bowls etc.
Nursing requirements for neonates immediately after parturition
Clear airways, remove sac and establish ventilation
Clamp umbilicus
Dry and keep warm
What needs monitoring of neonates?
Body weight Orifices Umbilicus Congenital abnormalities Mobility Feeding Urination and defecation
When interference of neonates is needed what should be provided?
Colostrum within 12 hours
Commercial food preparations given in bottle and feeding tubes
Manual toilet stimulation with damp cotton wool
What nursing considerations should be made for recumbent patients?
Thick bedding Boredom Food and water placement Ulcers and urine scalding Keep moving- prevent muscle atrophy Turn regularly- prevent hypostatic pneumonia
How to nurse comatose patients?
Maintain airway
One to one nursing
Similar care as recumbent
IV catheter care
What are requirements for geriatric patients?
Soft bedding Warmth Quiet kennel Toileting opportunities Mental stimulation Small and soft meals Slow exercise Medications
What needs considering for geriatric patients?
Less able to adapt to change Some loss of senses Slower recovery Preexisting disease More sleep Painful joints
