Any advice for MS patient?

PJMommy · Oct 28, 2003

I had a 40-something woman with MS for one of my very first clinicals. She was incredibly contractured so ROM was really important. Oral care was critical also (and my side slam here...it was obvious that oral care wasn't being done on her). She couldn't really talk except to say "I love you" which she told me many times throughout the day (which always made me fight back tears). It seems that MS is a very lonely disease so I kind of kept up a running chatter. I could ask questions and have her blink once for yes, twice for no.

If your patient is still somewhat mobile...maybe you can see about resources to get him a laptop or other means of Internet access. One of my classmates had an MS patient who lived through the Internet and email since his life was otherwise boring.

Another idea, we gave my patient a certificate from the Nursing Program which stated she was an accomplished nursing instructor by virtue of her assistance and patience with the nursing students.

Assess for pain (always good!). Assess for skin breakdown. Assess for depression. See if he wants a foot rub (always a winner with any patient). Read some of the latest research on MS and be armed with current info. :)

Have fun!!

justjenn · Oct 28, 2003

Ohh, thanks. They did inform me she had a feeding tube. SO, I will check on the oral care. Great heads-up.

Nervous but excited.

justjenn