Introduction
Care of patients with low immunity is vital. It helps in preventing the occurrence of further diseases and in maintaining the quality of life.
Definition
It refers to the nursing care measures provided for immunocompromised patients to recover, prevent the infection, and prevent life-threatening complications.
Purposes
- To enhance the patient coping strategies.
- To prevent the transmission of microorganisms.
- To provide effective treatment of infection and protect a vulnerable patient from infection.
Isolation Precautions
| Basic Components of Care of Patient with Low Immunity | ||
| Component | Recommendations | |
| 1. | General precautions | Maintain proper ventilation for an infected patient. Provide private room for the patient with handwashing and bathroom facilities. Do not allow air to circulate to general facility ventilation. Wear mask or special filter respirator, gloves, face shield while entering the room. |
| 2. | Hand hygiene | Perform before and after handling of blood and body fluids.Perform immediately after removing the gloves.Perform after contact with patients. |
| 3. | Environmental measures/soiled patient care equipment | Clean the patient’s room daily using hospital disinfectant (frequently touched surfaces, bedrails, tables, other equipment). Used items should be disposed of in yellow bag for an infectious patient. |
| 4. | Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette (source containment in a symptomatic respiratory patient focused on initial point itself) | Instruct the symptomatic patient to cover mouth and nose and wear surgical mask. Use tissues paper for disposing of used items, do not touch the surrounding area. |
| 5. | Needle and sharp injuries | Do not recap used needles. Use puncture-proof container or needle dispenser for discarding the needle. |
- Standard precautions: A collection of infection control measures known as “standard precautions” is used to stop the spread of infections that can be contracted by contact with blood, body fluids, nonintact skin (including rashes), and mucous membranes.
- Transmission-based precautions: Patients who are sick or colonized with specific infectious agents for which further precautions are required to avoid infection transmission should adopt transmission-based precautions, which are the second layer of basic infection control.
Special Considerations
- Ensure adequate nutrient intake.
- Avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Emphasize the importance of hand hygiene for prevention of diseases.
- Monitor intake and output.
- Encourage activities such as reading and watching television.
Guidelines for Nursing Care
- Follow the principles of asepsis in all patient care activities.
- Identify risk factors of infection.
- Recognize the importance of such details as proper nutrition, oral hygiene, and skin care.
- Provide psychological support as an essential part of the nursing care.
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwers, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Adrianne Dill Linton, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition, 2023, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323826716
- Donna Ignatavicius, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care, 11th Edition ,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323878265
- Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323789615
- AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 5th Ed. Sarah. Delgado, 2023, Published by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses ISBN: 978-1264269884
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
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