Question

what nursing assessments will identify the complication of covid-19 early if it develops

Answer 1

Ans) Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that can cause symptoms from common cold to more severe disease such as pneumonia and eventually it may lead to death especially those in vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the very young, and people with an underlying chronic health condition.

- Nursing Assessment:

Assessment of a patient suspected of COVID-19 should include:

A health officer uses a handheld infrared thermometer on a passenger at the airport. Image source: Vatican news
Travel history. Health care providers should obtain a detailed travel history for patients being evaluated with fever and acute respiratory illness.
Physical examination. Patients who have fever, cough, and shortness of breath and who has traveled to Wuhan, China recently must be placed under isolation immediately.
Nursing Diagnosis

Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnosis for a patient with COVID-19 are:

Infection related to failure to avoid pathogen secondary to exposure to COVID-19.
Deficient knowledge related to unfamiliarity with disease transmission information.
Hyperthermia related to increase in metabolic rate.
Impaired breathing pattern related to shortness of breath.
Anxiety related to unknown etiology of the disease.
Nursing Care Planning and Goals

The following are the major nursing care planning goals for COVID-19:

Prevent the spread of infection.
Learn more about the disease and its management.
Improve body temperature levels.
Restore breathing pattern back to normal.
Reduce anxiety.
Nursing Interventions

Listed below are the nursing interventions for a patient diagnosed with COVID-19:

Monitor vital signs. Monitor the patient’s temperature; the infection usually begins with a high temperature; monitor the respiratory rate of the patient as shortness of breath is another common symptom.
Monitor O2 saturation. Monitor the patient’s O2 saturation because respiratory compromise results in hypoxia.
Maintain respiratory isolation. Keep tissues at the patient’s bedside; dispose secretions properly; intsruct the patient to cover mouth when coughing or sneezing; use masks, and advise those entering the room to wear masks as well; place respiratory stickers on chart, linens, and so on.
Enforce strict hand hygiene. Teach the patient and folks to wash hands after coughing to reduce or prevent the transmission of the virus.
Manage hyperthermia. Use appropriate therapy for elevated temperature to maintain normothermia and reduce metabolic needs.
Educate the patient and folks. Provide information on disease transmission, diagnostic testing, disease process, complications, and protection from the virus.
Evaluation

Nursing goals are met as evidenced by:

Patient was able to prevent the spread of infection.
Patient was able to learn more about the disease and its management.
Patient was able to improve body temperature levels.
Patient was able to restore breathing pattern back to normal.
Patient was able to reduce anxiety.