Author: A. Lexgelinas

I engage in self-care via staying hydrated and exercising regularly. In clinical, I notice I don’t take enough time to drink water. However, every time I go to drink my water I usually try to drink the whole bottle or half. This might be 17 or 8 ounces at a time. I need to take more time throughout the day to hydrate. Not even just during the clinical day but the day before also. Friends that I’ve asked also complain of not taking time or having the team to hydrate. Although, one of my friends ensures she gets enough water throughout the day and is very timely with drinking water throughout her shift. Self-care is important for professional development because when you aren’t caring for your own self it’s difficult to be the best asset to the team you can be. When you’re tired, hungry, or dehydrated you can’t make the best decisions for you, your patients, or your team. Keeping yourself fueled, rested, and hydrated ensures you to run as a well-oiled machine and have the proper nutrients to fuel your body and make safe practice decisions. Self-care is important for safety and for the ability to organize the day and to allow yourself some stress relief and regrouping. During spring break I intend to drink 2 gallons of water a day and exercise 5 days a week. I will also take some time to relax my mind and regroup my thoughts and stress.

I must say I have rarely seen nurses wash their patients hands, unless they’re giving them a bed bath. Often times when I see patient hands, on appearance they look dirty and would benefit from a warm rag with soap to clean and prevent the spread of infection. The patient touches many objects in the room that the health care team either touches with their hands or clothes. These germs can be spread room to room if the team is not as diligent as possible to wash their own hands and minimize their exposure to contamination. Cleaning the patient’s hands three times  a day would be very beneficial not only to limit the spread of germs but also to tend to the personal care needs of the patient.

I must say I have rarely seen nurses wash their patients hands, unless they’re giving them a bed bath. Often times when I see patient hands, on appearance they look dirty and would benefit from a warm rag with soap to clean and prevent the spread of infection. The patient touches many objects in the room that the health care team either touches with their hands or clothes. These germs can be spread room to room if the team is not as diligent as possible to wash their own hands and minimize their exposure to contamination. Cleaning the patient’s hands three times  a day would be very beneficial not only to limit the spread of germs but also to tend to the personal care needs of the patient.

I must say I have rarely seen nurses wash their patients hands, unless they’re giving them a bed bath. Often times when I see patient hands, on appearance they look dirty and would benefit from a warm rag with soap to clean and prevent the spread of infection. The patient touches many objects in the room that the health care team either touches with their hands or clothes. These germs can be spread room to room if the team is not as diligent as possible to wash their own hands and minimize their exposure to contamination. Cleaning the patient’s hands three times  a day would be very beneficial not only to limit the spread of germs but also to tend to the personal care needs of the patient.

My aunt recently started taking multiple eye drops once she was diagnosed with acute angle closure glaucoma. She was confused at times on which eye drops did what for her eye. She can’t put the eye drops in herself so when I give them to her I tell her which ones are facilitating drainage and which ones are for inflammation. I also educate her on the side effects, specifically on which ones usually cause her eye to have a burning sensation. Since my aunt has a background in pharmacology, she actively tries to stay educated on the drugs she takes and side effects to be aware of. However, with her blurry vision from the glaucoma, looking up each eye drop has been difficult for her so she relies on me and her husband to educate her when she is unsure and has questions.

My aunt recently started taking multiple eye drops once she was diagnosed with acute angle closure glaucoma. She was confused at times on which eye drops did what for her eye. She can’t put the eye drops in herself so when I give them to her I tell her which ones are facilitating drainage and which ones are for inflammation. I also educate her on the side effects, specifically on which ones usually cause her eye to have a burning sensation. Since my aunt has a background in pharmacology, she actively tries to stay educated on the drugs she takes and side effects to be aware of. However, with her blurry vision from the glaucoma, looking up each eye drop has been difficult for her so she relies on me and her husband to educate her when she is unsure and has questions.

My aunt recently started taking multiple eye drops once she was diagnosed with acute angle closure glaucoma. She was confused at times on which eye drops did what for her eye. She can’t put the eye drops in herself so when I give them to her I tell her which ones are facilitating drainage and which ones are for inflammation. I also educate her on the side effects, specifically on which ones usually cause her eye to have a burning sensation. Since my aunt has a background in pharmacology, she actively tries to stay educated on the drugs she takes and side effects to be aware of. However, with her blurry vision from the glaucoma, looking up each eye drop has been difficult for her so she relies on me and her husband to educate her when she is unsure and has questions.

The article titled, “How Can I Love My Body Again?” from the AAKP website discusses the concerns of sexuality among peritoneal dialysis patients. The article gives many great suggestions on how to approach healthcare workers about concerns and how to cope with their new body image. The first states the patient must speak up. Research has shown that healthcare professionals don’t bring this topic up often so the patient must advocate for themselves and speak up about their thoughts and concerns. As the body adjusts to the dialysate, patient should discuss and report symptoms with their medical team. Another great tool was to utilize discussion boards or with permission, talk to other patients that are going through the same feelings and have found a balance in their treatment to have their desired lifestyle. A permanent catheter can contribute to a negative body image so discussing these feelings with other helps one feel normal and arrive at solutions that lead to a more positive body image.  The article discusses exercise to improve a sense of well-being. A wardrobe change may need to be considered as the body adjusts to the treatment. Keeping yourself in good appearance also helps one feel attractive and not just a medical patient that gets dialysis. Engaging in the senses can add a little romance in activities. Catheter placement can also be a concern during sex as it should be secured safely. It’s important for the patient to also consider their partners feelings and address any concerns they have about the catheter or treatment during sex. Considering what others think and how they feel helps the patient to reclaim aspects of themselves and improves communication. The last tip the article gives is to have a sense of humor. Be serious about the medical care but also work to enjoy life and maintain aspects of life that are enjoyable and redefine yourself! This was such a great positive article for patients to read and overcome fear and receive guidance to continue normal aspects of life during this treatment process.

The article titled, “How Can I Love My Body Again?” from the AAKP website discusses the concerns of sexuality among peritoneal dialysis patients. The article gives many great suggestions on how to approach healthcare workers about concerns and how to cope with their new body image. The first states the patient must speak up. Research has shown that healthcare professionals don’t bring this topic up often so the patient must advocate for themselves and speak up about their thoughts and concerns. As the body adjusts to the dialysate, patient should discuss and report symptoms with their medical team. Another great tool was to utilize discussion boards or with permission, talk to other patients that are going through the same feelings and have found a balance in their treatment to have their desired lifestyle. A permanent catheter can contribute to a negative body image so discussing these feelings with other helps one feel normal and arrive at solutions that lead to a more positive body image.  The article discusses exercise to improve a sense of well-being. A wardrobe change may need to be considered as the body adjusts to the treatment. Keeping yourself in good appearance also helps one feel attractive and not just a medical patient that gets dialysis. Engaging in the senses can add a little romance in activities. Catheter placement can also be a concern during sex as it should be secured safely. It’s important for the patient to also consider their partners feelings and address any concerns they have about the catheter or treatment during sex. Considering what others think and how they feel helps the patient to reclaim aspects of themselves and improves communication. The last tip the article gives is to have a sense of humor. Be serious about the medical care but also work to enjoy life and maintain aspects of life that are enjoyable and redefine yourself! This was such a great positive article for patients to read and overcome fear and receive guidance to continue normal aspects of life during this treatment process.

The article titled, “How Can I Love My Body Again?” from the AAKP website discusses the concerns of sexuality among peritoneal dialysis patients. The article gives many great suggestions on how to approach healthcare workers about concerns and how to cope with their new body image. The first states the patient must speak up. Research has shown that healthcare professionals don’t bring this topic up often so the patient must advocate for themselves and speak up about their thoughts and concerns. As the body adjusts to the dialysate, patient should discuss and report symptoms with their medical team. Another great tool was to utilize discussion boards or with permission, talk to other patients that are going through the same feelings and have found a balance in their treatment to have their desired lifestyle. A permanent catheter can contribute to a negative body image so discussing these feelings with other helps one feel normal and arrive at solutions that lead to a more positive body image.  The article discusses exercise to improve a sense of well-being. A wardrobe change may need to be considered as the body adjusts to the treatment. Keeping yourself in good appearance also helps one feel attractive and not just a medical patient that gets dialysis. Engaging in the senses can add a little romance in activities. Catheter placement can also be a concern during sex as it should be secured safely. It’s important for the patient to also consider their partners feelings and address any concerns they have about the catheter or treatment during sex. Considering what others think and how they feel helps the patient to reclaim aspects of themselves and improves communication. The last tip the article gives is to have a sense of humor. Be serious about the medical care but also work to enjoy life and maintain aspects of life that are enjoyable and redefine yourself! This was such a great positive article for patients to read and overcome fear and receive guidance to continue normal aspects of life during this treatment process.