CARE OF FEET AND NAILS – Nursing is a profession within the healthcare sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other healthcare providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. Nurses practice in many specialisms with differing levels of prescriber authority.
Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public image of nurses as care providers. However, nurses are permitted by most jurisdictions to practice independently in a variety of settings depending on training level. In the postwar period, nurse education has undergone a process of diversification towards advanced and specialized credentials, and many of the traditional regulations and provider roles are changing.
Nurses develop a plan of care, working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient’s family, and other team members, that focus on treating illness to improve quality of life. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team such as therapists, medical practitioners, and dietitians. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.
CARE OF FEET AND NAILS
Common Foot and Nail Problems:
1. Callus: Thickened portion of epidermis, it is painless
2. Corns: Keratosis caused by friction and pressure from shoes.
3. Plantar warts: Fungaling lesions on sole of feet.
4. Athletics foot: Tinea pedis, Fungal infection of foot
5. Ingrown nails: It occurs due to in proper nail trimming.
6. Rams horn nails: Long curbed nails
7. Paronychia: Inflammation of tissues surrounding nails.
8. Foot odors
Procedure of Foot and Nail Care:
A. Articles required:
1. Clean basins-2, warm water
2. Large try-1
3. Basin to dip foot or hand-1
4. Sponge cloths-2
5. Towel-1
6. Nail clipper-1
7. Mackintosh and towel-1
8. Over bed-table-1
9. Bath thermometer-1
B. Steps of procedure:
1. Collect the articles and place them near the working side of the patients
2. Explain the procedure to the patient
3. wash hands
4. Provide privacy by screening
5. Take warm water 100-110°F in a basin. (Test temperature of the water)
6. Place a towel basin on the floor, then help the patient dip his feet.
7. Place the over bed table over the patients lap.
8. Place a basin with water 100-110°F on the over bed-table after protecting it with a mackintosh and towel.
9. Instruct the patients to place his figure in the basin in a comfortable position
10. Allow the patients feet and figure nails to soak for 10-20 minutes. Rewarm water as required.
Taking Care of a Diabetic Patient or a Patient Having Peripheral Vascular Disease Regarding Foot and Nail Problems.
1. Clean the feet daily in Luke warm water, using soap. Dry feet and the part between toes.
2. Do not cut corns or calluses
3. If perspiration is too much use foot powder.
4. Wear shoes with porous uppers
5. If dryness is noted along the feet, use baby oil, olive oil or lanolin or corn oil, and rub gently into the skin
6. Do not use scissors or clippers. File the toe nail straight across and square
7. Avoid wearing elastic stoking
8. Inspect the feet, the soles, the heels and the area between toes daily
9. Wear clean socks and stoking daily.
10. Do not walk bare foot
11. Wear shoes or chappals, specially designed soft ones
12. Exercise lower extremities to improve circulation
13. Avoid burns to feet by hot water bags or hot water
14. Treat minor injuries immediately under strict aseptic technique,
15. Consult doctors for every minor injury.
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