Definition of Sling – 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.
Definition of Sling
Procedure of Applying Different Types of Sling:
Arm sling:
- Encourage the patient to hold the affected arm across the body in the position of greatest comfort.
- First hold the bandage with the base running down the centre of the body and the point.to the elbow on the affected side. Gently slip the top point under the supported arm and wrap it around hen the back of the neck until it rests on the shoulder of the affected side.
- Lift up the lower point and take it to meet the upper point at the side of the neck on the affected side.
- Use a reef knot (see above) to tie the ends together just above the collarbone to avoid any pressure on the back of the neck.
- Adjust the sling so that the fingertips are clearly visible and then bring the point forward and
fasten it to the sling with a safety pin. - Finally, check the circulation in the fingers and compare the tissue colour with the fingertips on the unaffected arm. If there are any signs of an impaired circulation, loosen or remove the sling and any underlying bandages.
Elevation sling
- Encourage the patient to hold the affected arm across the body with the fingers pointing to the opposite shoulder tip.
- First hold the bandage with the base running down the centre of the body and the point to the elbow on the affected side. Gently place the bandage over the supported arm and carry the top end around the front of the neck until it rests on the unaffected shoulder.
- Gently wrap the lower half of the bandage along the affected arm. Carry the free end of the bandage from the elbow across the back to the opposite shoulder tip.
- Gently twist the top point around the fingers, but avoid placing pressure on any injury. Tie the two ends together with a reef knot (see above) and place it just above the collarbone to avoid any neck pressure.
- At the point of the elbow smooth the loose fabric forwards along the arm under the sling. Secure the sling firmly at the elbow with a safety pin or tape.