Do’s in Nursing
Do’s IN NUKSING.—It is impossible to enumerate all the things that one must do in nursing. But many mean the dif¬ference between the comfort and satisfaction of the patient, on the one hand, and discomfort and dissatisfaction, on the other. Among these may be mentioned the following:
Keep the patient clean. Keep the bedding clean. Keep the surroundings clean. Change body and bed linen often enough so the patient will feel fresh. Smooth out the bedding often. Change the position of a helpless patient frequently. Place a pillow under the knees or use a foot-rest part of the time to ease tension of the back and at the back of the legs. Supply a foot-stool when the patient sits in a chair. Place a small pillow at the small of the back occasionally when the patient lies flat on the back. Keep the patient comfortable as to temperature—amply covered and the room comfortably warm, but neither in excess. Keep the bedclothes loose over the feet. Adjust pillows frequently, turning them and fresh¬ening them. Keep the room quiet. Keep the light adjusted according to the patient’s needs. Darken the room for an hour’s rest daily. Give all treatments carefully, but quickly and confidently and with as little fuss and muss as possible. Serve the food regularly if the patient is being fed and make it attractive. Keep pieces of old linen for expectoration, burning them after use. Keep the room well aired.
Leave the patient alone at times. Be cheerful and opti¬mistic. Know when to do nothing. Know as far as possible, without a call from the patient, that a thing is necessary— in other words, study the patient’s needs. Keep the patient free from depressing news or information, of the world in general and of things and conditions about the home. In case of quarantine, even though it may be inconvenient and seem¬ingly unnecessary, observe the regulations. Certainly no harm can come from it.
DON’TS IN NURSING.—Don’t become impatient. Don’t forget that tact is necessary in the sick-room. Don’t consideras too arduous any task which can contribute to the comfort or ultimate good of the patient. Don’t talk too much. Don’t talk about the patient’s illness. Don’t fail to tell the patient he or she is looking better when such is the case—and some¬times when it isn’t. Don’t hurry, thereby irritating the patient, and don’t hurry the patient. Don’t forget that the mind greatly influences the body; hence don’t fail to cheer the patient when he is especially downcast and often even when he is feeling well.