COMFORT

Comfort is a state of freedom from pain, discomfort, tension & anxiety.

Comfort is define as “the contented enjoyment in physical or mental well-being, freedom from pain or trouble & anxiety.”

Discomfort is define as want of comfort or ease due to client or annoyance.

DEFINITIONS

The alert nurse quickly sense when the client is uncomfortable, sometimes before he is aware of it himself.

The skilful nurse knows may simple ways of easing discomfort & does not Think of a sedation first.

Pain Restriction of movements due to weakness Wrinkled, soiled & wet bed sheets Improper arrangement of pillows Delayed or inadequate attention to meet

the personal need such as cleanliness, elimination, nourishment etc.

Lack of exercise Extreme temperature Inadequate ventilation

CAUSES OF DISCOMFORT

Indigestion, irregular bowel movements Uncomfortable position Too bright light & glares Lack of sleep Noise Fear & anxiety Insecurity feelings Interruption of daily routines

Identification of the nursing problems

Meeting the emergencies

Daily care

Nursing Needs in Discomfort

Even through two persons suffer from same type of problem/disease, the nursing problems in the two persons will be different.

Some of the nursing problems are:- Problems related to respiratory difficulty Problems related to body temperature Problems related to consciousness Problems related to cardiac function Problems related to appetite & digestion Problems related to activity Problems related to elimination Problems related to mental activity Other Problems

IDENTIFICATION OF THE NURSING PROBLEMS

Any nursing problem which demands immediate attention must be dealt with immediately.

Follow ABC

The problem of hemorrhage, shock & pain may become worse if immediate attention is not given

MEETING THE EMERGENCIES

Certain procedure are carried out routinely in order to make the client comfortable. Such as

Morning Care

Evening Care

Night Care

DAILY CARE

Mechanical service or comfort devices are invented articles which would add to comfort of patient when used in appropriate manner.

These devices relive the discomfort & help in maintaining correct posture.

COMFORT DEVICES PROMTING PHYSICAL COMFORT

Pillows Back Rest Knee Rest Rolls Foot Rests/Foot Boards Sand Bags Air & Water Mattress Rings Bed Cradle Bed Blocks Air Cushion

COMFORT DEVICES PROMTING PHYSICAL COMFORT

Pillows are used to give comfortable position to the patient.

These are mostly used to support various body part.

Purposes:-To maintain proper body alignment.To support body parts in good alignment.Help to reduce pressure.It can be folded, rolled or tucked firmly against the body to maintain position.It is used to support head, neck, arms, legs & parts of the back.

PILLOWS

BACK REST

It is a mechanical device which provide a suitable support & rest for the back of patient in sitting position.

Purposes:-To support back.To facilitate breathing.It is given especially for heart & asthma patient even in post operative period.

It may be substituted by a pillow. It gives relaxation & thus relieves pain on abdominal muscles & on tendons beneath the knees.

Many doctors do not allow knee pillows because of the fear of thrombus formation & pulmonary embolism.

Change of position at frequent intervals is necessary.

KNEE REST

ROLLS

Hand rolls are made of cloth that rolled into a cylinder about 4-5 inches long & 2-3 inches in diameter & stiffed firmly.

Purposes:-To keep the fingers free being in a tight fist.Thigh rolls are made by folding a sheet to the desired length of 2-3 feet & then rolled into a tight cylinder. Thigh rolls are used to support hips & thighs, preventing them from outward rotation & keeping the feet in alignment in case of paralysis, fracture of femur & hip surgery.

FOOT REST

These are mechanical device used to give rest to feet. Sand bags or Foot board may be used.

Purposes:-To maintain the normal position of feet.To promote comfort.To prevent foot drop.

SAND BAGS

These are canvas rubber or plastic bags filled with sand. These are used to immobilize a part.

Purposes:-To relive discomfort.Used to support body part.Used to immobilize the body part.Used to support as in fracture bones.To prevent foot drop or wrist drop.

AIR & WATER MATTRESSES

These are used for very thin & obese patients & those who are prone to get pressure sores. It helps in equal distribution of the pressure exerted on the body.

Purposes:-To improve circulation.To provide comfort.To prevent pressure sore.Used in very thin or obese patients & chronic bed ridden patients.

RINGSAir rings are made of rubber. The air rings is inflated about half full, Tested for leakage, covered & than placed under the patient’s hips in such a way that the valve is on one side & not in contact with body.Cotton are made wrapped with bandage. These are placed under bony prominences such as heels & fastened in place if necessary.

Purposes:-To lift the hip from bed to prevent bed sores.To prevent direct pressure on bony prominences.To improve circulation

BED CRADLEThese very widely in size & in material. These are of wooden, metal or electronic. The bed cradle support & take off the weight of top bedding. These are semicircular in shape.

Purposes:-To prevent the top cloth if coming in contact with the patient especially burn patient.To apply heat in case of drying plaster casts.Electronic bed cradles are used to supply the desired warm in case of shock.

BED BLOCKS

These are made-up of wood. It may be high or low. These are placed under the foot of the bed for various reasons.

Purposes:-To prevent shock.To arrest hemorrhage.To retain enemaAfter spinal anesthesiaAfter tonsillectomyTo provide traction.To position in postural drainage.

AIR CUSHION

They are round in shape & made of rubber.These can be inflated with air. These are used to take off the Weight of body.Air cushion should not be applied directly in contact with skin. They should have cover.

Purposes:-To relive pressure on certain parts of body.To promote comfort of client.

• Usually for pts who are propped up in a sitting position for change of position.

• Bed table plcaed in front with a pillow on it, patient can lean forward & take rest

• Table without pillow is used for writing & meals.• Used for pts with cardiac conditions & asthma.• Makes it possible to use accessory muscles of

respiration.• Position should be changed to relieve fatigue &

prevent embolism.

CARDIAC TABLE /ORTHOPNEIC/BED TABLE

• Is a support that is placed under patients mattress to give added rigidity to the mattress.

• Usually made of wood/canvas & is constructed to fit the standard hospital bed.

FRACTURE BOARD

• Are bars positioned along the sides of the length of the bed.

• Ensure patient’s safety & are useful for increasing mobility.

• Provide assistance in rolling from side to side or sitting up in bed.

SIDE RAILS

• Is a triangular shaped pillow made of heavy foam.

• Used to maintain legs in abduction following total hip replacement surgery.

WEDGE/ABDUCTOR PILLOW