What Would Be A Priority Nursing Diagnosis For A Patient With Influenza?
There are three main stages when diagnosing a patient with Influenza;
Assessment and physical examination
Treatment and intervention plan
Health care guidelines
In the assessment and physical examination, it is important to identify if the patient has come into contact with any infected parties within the past 72 hours. Let them tell you if they have been immunized before and if they have a history of chills, fevers, sore throat, headaches or photophobic. Monitor the patient for conjunctivitis and flushed face, inspect the throat and note any redness in the soft palate, pharynx and tonsils.
In addition, you should monitor the patient’s temperature for any sudden rises (as is common), the temperature usually ranges from 102 to 103°F which is subject for rising on the first day before falling and rising again on the third day. Check if there are any complications attributed to Influenza, monitor the patient’s lungs by Auscultation and note the patient’s respiration.
When it comes to treatment and intervention; note that medical treatment is not a cure. On the contrary, it is to control and prevent further complications. For patients with acute Influenza, bed rest and intake of fluids is highly advised. For patients who have not been immunized and are exposed to the virus, Amantadine may be used to prevent further infection.
In conclusion, it is important to prevent further complications. Emphasis must be put on the need to ensure adequate bedrest, high intake of fluids for two to three days once the temperatures return to normalcy. Make sure the patient and close family members understand the medication and the side effects. Let them report any changes in respiration, chest pain and ear pain.
It is also advisable to keep warm before, during and towards the end of winter since such conditions create a good environment for the flu. Try to avoid populated areas as it easily spreads from one person to the next.
If you already have the flu, you need not worry much. With proper care and intake of fluids it will disappear in after seven or so days.
There are three main stages when diagnosing a patient with Influenza;
Assessment and physical examination
Treatment and intervention plan
Health care guidelines
In the assessment and physical examination, it is important to identify if the patient has come into contact with any infected parties within the past 72 hours. Let them tell you if they have been immunized before and if they have a history of chills, fevers, sore throat, headaches or photophobic. Monitor the patient for conjunctivitis and flushed face, inspect the throat and note any redness in the soft palate, pharynx and tonsils.
In addition, you should monitor the patient’s temperature for any sudden rises (as is common), the temperature usually ranges from 102 to 103°F which is subject for rising on the first day before falling and rising again on the third day. Check if there are any complications attributed to Influenza, monitor the patient’s lungs by Auscultation and note the patient’s respiration.
When it comes to treatment and intervention; note that medical treatment is not a cure. On the contrary, it is to control and prevent further complications. For patients with acute Influenza, bed rest and intake of fluids is highly advised. For patients who have not been immunized and are exposed to the virus, Amantadine may be used to prevent further infection.
In conclusion, it is important to prevent further complications. Emphasis must be put on the need to ensure adequate bedrest, high intake of fluids for two to three days once the temperatures return to normalcy. Make sure the patient and close family members understand the medication and the side effects. Let them report any changes in respiration, chest pain and ear pain.
It is also advisable to keep warm before, during and towards the end of winter since such conditions create a good environment for the flu. Try to avoid populated areas as it easily spreads from one person to the next.
If you already have the flu, you need not worry much. With proper care and intake of fluids it will disappear in after seven or so days.
