stimulating a vented patient

[JeanettePNP]

How would you educate family members of an elderly vented patient for what they can do to stimulate him or help him be comfortable? Let's assume that the patient is fully alert and aware, and that his closest relatives are nieces and nephews who don't know him extremely well.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Great response, CCUNurse. So true about the difference as time wears on--our lives move on too and it's hard to make the time to see him on a regular basis. The problem also is that he's been moved so many times--from acute care to rehab to a nursing home to the CCU, then back to the floor, the nursing home. Just as soon as he's settled in one place he's either discharged or some complication arises and he's right back on the floor.

You sound like such a sweet nurse! How do you find time for all this comfort care?

[Over-the-hill-Nurse]

Thank you so much for the compliment. I find time during baths, during turning, giving meds, suctioning, etc... it isn't a matter of spending alot of time at it, it is letting them know each and every time you go in the room that you as a nurse are there for them. And fortunately for me, I am a talker... it isn't so fortunate for my patients sometimes though. LOL

I had one guy ask me one time " if anyone ever told me that I talk to much.." I just smiled and shook my head and told him that unfortunately I have the gift to gabb and then politely closed my mouth. I finished what I was doing, he went back to his tv and I encouraged him to put his light on if he needed anything and left the room.

[RNperdiem, RN]

How about some music?

I once had a family who brought all of their mom's favorite gospel music to listen to. I found myself singing along by the end of the shift.

Maybe you could compile a collection of your uncle's favorite music.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

How about music- do you have music therapy at your facility? I remember my dad reading the newspaper to my grandpa daily- not every word- just kinda talking to him and giving him updates on the "outside world".