Question

Develop a teaching plan for the patient affected by COVID-19.

Answer 1

TEACHING PLAN FOR THE PATIENT AFFECTED BY COVID-19

Nursing Care Planning and Goals
Establishing nursing care plan goals can help improve patient outcomes and decrease the transmission of COVID-19. Major nursing care planning goals for COVID-19 may include:

Establishing goals, interventions
Assessing altered skin integrity risks, fatigue, impaired comfort, gas exchange, nutritional needs, and nausea
Preventing the spread of coronavirus infection to the patient’s family members, community, and healthcare providers
Providing more information about COVID-19 and its management to the patient.
Reducing fever
Restoring normal respiratory patterns
Easing anxiety, which is relatively common in COVID-19 patients, with a combination of anxiolytic medications and psychotherapy that includes relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and encouragement
Nursing Interventions
Based on assessment data, nursing interventions for COVID-19 should focus on monitoring vital signs, maintaining respiratory function, managing hyperthermia, and reducing transmission.

Monitor vital signs – particularly temperature and respiratory rate, as fever and dyspnea are common symptoms of COVID-19.

Monitor O2 saturation – normal O2 saturation as measured with pulse oximeter should be 94 or higher; patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms can develop hypoxia, with values dropping low enough to warrant supplemental oxygen.

Manage fever – use appropriate therapy for hyperthermia, including adjusting room temperature, eliminating excess clothing and covers, using cooling mattresses, applying cold packs to major blood vessels, starting or increasing intravenous (IV) fluids as allowed, administering antipyretic medications as prescribed, and readying oxygen therapy in the event of respiratory problems resulting from the metabolic demands for oxygen during a fever.

Maintain respiratory isolation – isolation rooms should be well-marked with limited access; all who enter the restricted-access room should use personal protective equipment, such as masks and gowns.

Enforce strict hand hygiene – to reduce or prevent transmission of coronavirus, patients should wash hands after coughing, as should all who enter or leave the room.

Provide information – educate the patient and patient’s family members of the transmission of COVID-19, the tests to diagnose the disease, disease process, possible complications, and ways to protect oneself and one’s family from coronavirus.

The patient successfully prevented the spread of infection to family, the community, or to healthcare staff.
The patient had improved:

Body temperature levels
Restoration to normal breathing patterns
Reduce anxiety.

Documentation guidelines for COVID-19 patients include:

Individual findings, including any external factors affecting the patient’s illness, interactions, nature of social exchanges, and specifics patient behaviors.
Cultural and religious beliefs expressed by the patient.