Home Nursing Fundamentals (1953)

[Music] when illness comes to a family it often strikes suddenly the normal household work is interrupted and a new burden taking care of the sick is placed on the family members put him to bed uh he can go to the bathroom but bed rest is important and uh take his temperature every 4 hours and these pills car of the sick begins with a doctor's visit and his instructions I suppose Chuck and Betty will be next not necessarily if they haven't already been exposed you just take the routine precautions and let me know if uh he isn't over his fever by day after tomorrow will you thank you very much for coming doctor not at all I love yes care begins with the doctor's instructions they should be noted down and plan should be made for carrying them out the patient must be kept comfortable and a place must be prepared to serve as the sick room which room one close to the bathroom is preferable and one that can be shut off from the rest of the home how should the room be arranged what furniture is important the bed should be placed so that you can get to it easily from either side and where light and air from the window will not disturb the patient to make the room safer and easier to clean store away articles that will not be used during illness in just a few minutes the sick room looks like this Pleasant and attractive efficiently organized for nursing care materials are at hand for giving Bobby his medicine and for checking his temperature there are paper handkerchiefs and a bag for disposing of them the clothes Bobby will need are right at hand too since Bobby is to be alone his brother's clothes will have to be moved move to a more convenient closet yes there are many things to be done extra things even before the patient can be put to bed and of course while care of the sick is going on the routine work of the household must be kept up let's see how one family Works through this problem where well that's done at least what time is it oh just after eight dish is done not too much later than usual he just wanted a drink maybe he'll sleep a while now why don't you sit down Martha and Chuck are you with us oh oh sure Dad we'd better plan ahead a little we've got extra things to do and if one of us gets a bit over tired he might get sick too then where will we be now I thought I'd take care of Bobby tonight let's see he needs a pill at 11: then oh I can get up at 3:00 and and sleep a little late in the morning we've been studying home nursing at school I'll get up and take care of Bobby at seven now Betty do you think you should we don't want you to catch anything I think uh we'd better share the extra jobs if you do all the work Martha you'll be sick in bed next we can keep away from infection these germs which leave the body through the nose and mouth enter the same way if we keep away from Bobby's face we'll be all right and we can wash our hands before and after going in the sick room and wear something to protect our clothes Chuck do you know how to make a bed tray sure Betty I I think there's a box off back just the right side wasn't Florence coming over here tomorrow to study with you oh yes well maybe I can go to her house this time I'll call her well let's read and relax for a few minutes and uh then go to bed early huh there are many extra jobs for everyone in the family but with cooperation and planning they are done and done well hi Betty hello there awake already now stay under those covers shall we see just what is involved in morning care for Bobby temperature first it should be taken before the patient cools his mouth with water or warms it with hot food shake the Mercury down below 95 place the thermometer gently under the tongue to one side be sure the patient keeps his lips closed while you wait for the thermometer to record the patient's temperature you can take his pulse Place three fingers gently at the base of the thumb here you can easily feel the pulse the number of pulsations per minute is the pulse rate next while you are still holding the patient's wrist you may count his respiration if Bobby has a fever his breathing will be more rapid you can ordinarily feel the rise and fall of the chest under your hand count one for each complete breath in and out the number of complete breaths per minute is the respiration rate pulse and respiration are written down on a chart so the doctor can judge the patient's progress read the temperature when the patient has had the thermometer in his mouth for at least 5 minutes hold the thermometer between your thumb and forefinger turn it slowly look for the Mercury column between the lines in the numbers 100 and 410 or 100.4 now with a clear record of the temperature it is medicine time it's important to give the right medicine in the right amount at the right time so read the directions on the medicine bottle each time you give medicine now a little water and the pill is gone now is a good time to send the patient to the bathroom if he has bathroom privileges be sure he's wrapped up warmly while he's gone you'll be able to attend to the bed you'll want to put on fresh Sheets if they're needed or at least straighten and smooth the bed the bottom sheet is pulled tight with envelope corners at the foot of the bed a pleat to allow tow room the top sheet and covers are tucked in securely there the bed's all set and comfortable but of course with the patient out of the room this isn't difficult let's suppose for a minute that Bobby has been ordered to stay in bed at all times now it is necessary to wash him in bed the bed is raised so that it is easier for the home nurse to help her patient once Bobby is washed his bed should be changed this calls for a little special skill the patient is gently moved to one side of the bed and the old bottom sheet is carefully folded against him the top sheet is used to keep the patient covered now when a fresh sheet has been put in place on this side of the bed and folded down the middle the patient is turned over so the job can continue on the other side have you noticed how carefully Betty has handled the used bedding to avoid all possible contact with those that might carry infection also she protects herself by wearing a coverall apron which stays in the sick room at all times well we've seen how to change a bed with a patient in it fortunately though Bobby can get up and he can sit up for meals resting against a back rest made from a cardboard carton cut and folded into shape how's that for Comfort here's the patient another box makes a foot rest to keep Bobby from sliding down off the backr and here's breakfast on a tray made from still another carton the doctor doctor's instructions regarding diet are carefully followed but even this tray of liquid diet is attractively served to cuddle a n too hearty appetite one more thing the thermometer must be washed with soap and cool water and Betty's hands also will be washed well with such fine Home Care Bobby feels better within just a few days but the transition from bed to normal activity should not be hurried so now comes the job of keeping the patient occupied and entertained but without too much exertion on his part this job too takes family cooperation arts and crafts reading listening to the radio these are some of the most suitable activities fortunately Bobby's infection is no longer contagious so he can have company and the doctor has suggested a gradual return to normal diet this tray of a soft diet while it contains nothing that would require much chewing or that is hard to digest is still certainly appetizing as we said before illness in the home means changing family routines extra jobs for every everyone but apply the simple rules of home nursing and plan for family cooperation in carrying out the doctor's instructions the results are well [Music] worthwhile