Nurse caring for a patient with a tracheostomy

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    Speaking Valves One way to help patients with tracheostomies communicate is to use a speaking valve. Speaking valves are devices that fit into the tracheostomy tube and allow the patient to speak. There are a variety of speaking valves available, and the nurse can help the patient to choose the one that is right for them. Other Communication Methods If a patient is unable to use a speaking valve, there are a number of other communication methods that can be used. These include:

• Writing: The patient can write down what they want to say.
• Lip reading: The nurse can lip read the patient.
• Sign language: The nurse can learn sign language.
• Communication boards: Communication boards are pictures or words that the patient can point to to communicate.

Communicating with Patients with MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA can spread easily from person to person through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Precautions for Providing Care to Patients with MRSA Nurses must take precautions to prevent the spread of MRSA when providing care to patients with MRSA. These precautions include:

• Wearing gloves: Nurses should wear gloves when providing care to patients with MRSA.
• Washing hands: Nurses should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gloves.
• Using disposable equipment: Nurses should use disposable equipment whenever possible when providing care to patients with MRSA.
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces: Nurses should clean and disinfect surfaces that come into contact with patients with MRSA.

Patient and Family Education Nurses should educate patients and their families about MRSA and the precautions that they need to take to prevent the spread of MRSA. This education should include information on:

• What is MRSA?
• How is MRSA spread?
• What are the symptoms of MRSA?
• How to prevent the spread of MRSA

Assessment Cues and Nursing Interventions for Infiltration and Extravasation of an IV Catheter Infiltration Infiltration is the leakage of fluid from an IV catheter into the surrounding tissue. Assessment cues for infiltration include:

• Swelling around the IV site
• Redness around the IV site
• Pain around the IV site
• Coolness around the IV site

Nursing interventions for infiltration include:

• Removing the IV catheter immediately
• Applying a warm compress to the IV site
• Elevating the affected limb
• Administering pain medication as needed

Extravasation Extravasation is the leakage of fluid from an IV catheter into the surrounding tissue and into the bloodstream. Assessment cues for extravasation include:

• Swelling and redness around the IV site
• Pain around the IV site
• Blistering around the IV site
• Hardening of the tissue around the IV site
• Changes in the skin color around the IV site, such as blanching or cyanosis

Nursing interventions for extravasation include:

• Removing the IV catheter immediately
• Applying a cold compress to the IV site
• Elevating the affected limb
• Administering pain medication as needed
• Administering an antidote, such as hyaluronidase, to the IV site

Conclusion Nurses can play a vital role in promoting communication and providing safe care to patients with tracheostomies and MRSA. By using effective communication strategies and taking the necessary precautions, nurses can help to improve the quality of life for these patients.  

Sample Answer

   

Communication Strategies for Patients with Tracheostomies

Tracheostomies can make it difficult for patients to communicate. This can be frustrating for both the patient and the nurse. There are a number of communication strategies that nurses can use to promote effective communication with patients with tracheostomies.