I am nurse and caretaker to a partially mute male, 14 years old. He has failure throughout his body, including problems with digestive and nervous and vital systems, and I must tend to him.
He has good skills and intelligent and mentally independent. He can do and enjoys doing puzzles or hand activities, but can only do so much due to low coordination. He understands language and he can make noises that resemble words, however does not speak much. He prefers to make sounds or be silent.
I massage his belly to bring about eructation (burps) and flatulence and to improve digestion. I also massage him daily to help with digestion and circulation and to soothe him.
I handle hygiene and intimacy. I give him physicals or check ups once a week. I bathe and groom him regularly and take good care of his skin. I diaper him since he dislikes bed pans or catheters. Not to mention he does have sexual insecurity, even with puberty, so it is even worse on that part. I occasionally administer enemas or laxatives also.
We've agreed that it is acceptable for me to spoonfeed him, since he has poor coordination. Often he can feed himself but requires assistanxe. Although I do respect him and I assure meals are satisfying.
I do talk to him kindly and considerably. I communicate with him and make sure I know what he needs or what he wants me to know, even though he has difficulty replying or talking. He cannot communicate easily but he is very intelligent and he has a very active mind. Even though his body cannot function correctly, his mind and feelings are still working fully. So I am concerned. He does enjoy the care. He likes massages and such. He knows he can trust me and that I can help and comfort him. He knows I will respect him and do what he needs.
However, things can be too overwhelming, like my "full control" or his overdependence. I feel as if I invade or put too much pressure on his will.
Please help me. How can I keep his dignity intact? How can I help him yet allow him to not feel like he nothing?
Fishy... Slang for something isn't right about your story. Things don't add up or you are lying about a part or all of what you say. I agree. If you are a nurse and have been with this pt for 7 months you should know how to bath feed and change him etc. Your profile says pre nursing but you claim to be a nurse, so which is it. You also state in one post you are entering your second year in a few week; second week of what?
For some reason I wanna call BS on this. This "nurse" has been with this pt for 7 months and has no idea how to bath, feed or change this pt?? Come on. What am I missing.
I know how but I am just asking how you guys think I could help keep him from losing dignity. I don't want him feeling humiliated.
Anyone else have advice on the bathing and diapering and dressing? How I can help him with dignity at that point? Please?
I'm not sure how you equate your level of training with US nurses and not know this. You've been given advice and links as this thread has gone on, are you reading them at all?
I have to say it, I'm getting a little uncomfortable about your continued questions about the same thing, especially given the level of education and experience you purport to have. I'm repeating in my head that it's a cultural thing, wherever your highly secretive location may be.
Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
I'm still hung up on this mystery country. Neither "Natiun nérby Kind" nor "Brastroun" comes up at all in a Google search. Where exactly is this country located?
I am worried about my patient's dignity. We are nurse and patient yet we are buddies, and I would like him to have it easiest as possible.
How do I allow him to have as much dignity as possible during diaper changes and baths and physicals?
Description of him:
I am nurse and caretaker to a mute male, 14 years old. He has failure throughout his body, including problems with digestive and nervous and vital systems, and I must tend to him. I massage his belly to bring about eructation (burps) and flatulence and to improve digestion. I also massage him daily to help with digestion and circulation and to soothe him. I handle hygiene and intimacy. I give him physicals or check ups once a week. I bathe and groom him regularly and take good care of his skin. I diaper him since he dislikes bed pans or catheters. Not to mention he does have sexual insecurity, even with puberty, so it is even worse on that part. I occasionally administer enemas or laxatives also. We've agreed that it is smoother for me to spoonfeed him, since he has poor coordination sometimes. Although I do respect him and I assure meals are satisfying. I do talk to him kindly. I communicate with him and make sure I know what he needs or what he wants me to know, even though he has difficulty replying or talking. He cannot communicate easily but he is very intelligent and he has a very active mind. Even though his body cannot function correctly, his mind and feelings are still working fully. So I am concerned. He does enjoy the care. He likes massages and such. He knows he can trust me and that I can help and comfort him. However, things can be too overwhelming, like my "full control" or his overdependence.
It is already hard enough for him, I believe.
The least I could do besides being very friendly is help him keep his dignity during personal and peritoneal care. Any advice on how I can do this?
Also any suggestions on how to personally make each tasks a bit easier for us both? Any methods you all use?
I'm still hung up on this mystery country. Neither "Natiun nérby Kind" nor "Brastroun" comes up at all in a Google search. Where exactly is this country located?
Same here. I tried to Google it but nothing came up. Maybe it's the real life "Lost"
Im im confused as well, earlier on op stated she's a nurse, she looked things up and her training is equal to what nurses here receive. Time for me to just sit back and digest it all....
Sun0408, ASN, RN
1,761 Posts
Fishy... Slang for something isn't right about your story. Things don't add up or you are lying about a part or all of what you say. I agree. If you are a nurse and have been with this pt for 7 months you should know how to bath feed and change him etc. Your profile says pre nursing but you claim to be a nurse, so which is it. You also state in one post you are entering your second year in a few week; second week of what?