Special Patient Care Flashcards
who may a client be?
the animal’s owner or someone acting with the authority of the owner
when must care be taken if gaining consent from a client?
if the client is not the direct owner
what should a consent form be used in conjunction with?
a discussion with client usually lead by the VS
when can informed consent only be given?
by a client who has had the opportunity to consider a range of reasonable treatment options (including euthanasia) with associated fees and main risks explained
when must client consent to treatment be gained?
always obtained unless delay would adversely affect the animals welfare
what is most important when communicating risks and procedures to clients?
language is pitched to the clients level of understanding with limited medical jargon
who is responsible for gaining client consent?
VS prior to the procedure but can be delegated
when can gaining client consent be delegated?
if the person is suitably trained and has sufficient knowledge to understand procedure and risks involved
what must be done if the client does not wish to know the risks and costs of a procedure?
this must be documented on the clinical record/consent form
what should be done if more procedures than were consented for are needed during the period the animal is admitted?
every effort must be made to inform client prior to procedure being completed
once the client has signed the consent form what should happen to it?
be copied and one given to the owner, one stored on records
what 3 processes may a consent form be required for?
surgery
medical procedure
euthanasia
what should be included on a consent form for surgery/medical procedures?
patient name, sex and breed details owner name and address contact number outline of cost medical history last meal/drink surgery details staff involved owner signature and date statement of risks/lack of owner contact in emergency any other procedures DNR
what is essential when gaining an owners contact number?
that they are able to be contacted on that number at all times
what areas of a pets medical history may be included on the consent form?
allergies, medication, previous procedures
what should we be wary of including on every consent form?
DNR - can be alarming for the owner if there pet is undergoing a basic procedure
what should be included on a euthanasia consent form?
animals details owner details practice details date method of disposal donor options signature of owner consent for euthanasia outline of costs and payment plans
what procedures must be remembered when discharging a patient?
ensure patient is ready to go home
talk to owner without animal present
verbally give details of aftercare
give written aftercare and bandage care sheets
book followup
give surgery contact including out of hours for owner to use if concerned
talk through medication and show how to dose
what can be used to help owners with pets on large drug regimen?
hospital drug sheet
can persons under 18 give informed consent and be liable for fees?
no - parent or guardian must co sign
when must care be taken with under 18’s?
when prescribing controlled drugs
what regulations must be followed with regards to client confidentiality?
GDPR
what are VN’s responsible for the provision of to their patients?
warmth and security food and drink opportunities to toilet monitoring TPR mental stimulation medication/dressings/wound care personal care
what does a holistic approach mean in medical terms?
to address patient as a whole rather than just the disease which they present
what does a holistic approach consider?
physical, mental and emotional health as well as social factors
how can patient assessment be structured?
SOAP
what does SOAP stand for?
subjective
objective
assessment
planning
what is the subjective observation?
personal view of animal as a whole which cannot be measured
who usually completes the subjective observation?
nurse
what is the objective observation?
measurements of wellbeing - TPR and pain scoring
who usually completes the objective observation?
nurse
what does an assessment of the patient include?
diagnosis and condition of the patient
who usually completes assessment and plan sections of SOAP?
vet
what does the plan include?
what needs to be done after reviewing observation and assessment, may include diagnostic tests and drug changes
what are the basic nursing requirements?
heat food/water mobilisation opportunity to urinate and defecate mental stimulation
when should hot water bottles/wheat bags only be used?
when the patient is able to move away from them
why may mobility be compromised?
spinal problems
OA/joint disease
muscle disease
sedation/anaesthesia
how should patients with limited ability to mobilise be managed?
food/water in reach
avoid ulcers and sores by regular turning and padded bedding
assist with toileting and place catheter if needed
what should be recorded on patient records about urination and defecation?
volume, colour, effort, quality
what nursing care must take place of neonates/premature when they are born?
clear airways and establish good ventilation
clamp/tie off umbilicus
dry off baby
keep warm with high environmental temperature
may provide O2
what should be assessed during examination of neonate?
body weight orifices checked, present and functioning umbilicus clean with no herniation no congenital abnormalities good mobility and movement feeding well good urination and defecation
what care changes may be made if the neonate is orphaned?
colostrum within 1st 12 hours
feed commercially available formulas
can be fed by bottle or feeding tube (bottle is best)
weight monitored closely on weight chart
encourage urination and defecation by wiping genitals with wet swab during feeding
what additional needs may geriatric patients have?
struggle to adapt to change loss of sensory organs pre existing disease slower to recover poor muscle coverage require more sleep
what may be required if the patient has hearing or sight loss?
hearing - hand signals
sight - use of touch and maintenance of routine
what are the most common issues associated with the recumbent patient?
boredom decubitus ulcers urine scalding muscle atrophy hypostatic pneumonia
what extra nursing care is required in the comatose patient?
maintain airway physio and coupage IV catheter care management of defecation and urination all those considered when caring for recumbent patient
what is coupage?
personal care -e.g. grooming, eye lubrication, dampening and cleaning of oral cavity
what is the key to good nursing care?
careful client questioning
