Techniques for incontinent care with large residents?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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One thing that I'm having trouble with as a new grad is incontinent care with a large resident. It can be very time comsuming trying to change them when they are unable to turn. So what is some techniques you all have. I have seen my preceptor when changing take the incontinent pad and use it as a draw sheet. This way they can have the resident turn to one side. But like always the resident starts to come back towards the opposite side they was turned. Many of the CNA's at the place I started working at dont use draw sheets. Do you all use one? Or do you think its wise to use a drawsheet with a heavy resident? Also, how do you assist in incontinent care with a resident who has a Trach? If the trach tubing comes out do you quickly put it back in the plastic area? When I seen my preceptor take the tubbing out and place it on the side I felt something was wrong with this picture.:argue:The resident body then jumped up and out of place like he wasnt getting enough oxygen. Then the trach started plugging more mucus. Also, when a trach is plugging mucus how do you assist the resdient? Do you take a towel and wipe the mucus away or just leave it and let it drain on a towel which is placed on the residents chest? I'm just concern and want to give my residents the best care.Thanks!0

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Where I work as a nurse we get someone to help hold the person after they have rolled over. Many of out pts are obese or unable to roll independently so team work is a must.

I've had a little experience with this. Dealing with physically larger residents is difficult. And you can't blame the resident if they are unable to help themselves by rolling over very far or even balancing on their side. For one resident, I absolutely had to grab another intern to help me turn, hold and reposition the larger resident. There just was no other way to do it.

Specializes in CNA.

Joining the chorus. I always used a draw sheet (found that to be a very useful tool) and yes, often needed a 2nd person. You like to be able to handle the situation yourself, but an obese persons who cannot move themselves present too much of a challenge for one person.

With obese patients, team work is a must. One person has to hold the patient on their side while the other cleans and places new sheets under them. Also, if the resident is on a vent, then the tubing should never be removed from the trach. If it ever comes off the trach, just replace it. Also, with the mucous around the trach, it should be suctioned.

like everyone said before if you have any dobut that you can't handle the patient by yourself then i would also recommend you ask for help. But if i were to give advice to you i would say, you could try using some pillows to support their back and legs i've seen some cnas do it this way or you could also ask if they can help you and hold onto the bed railing.

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