How to Care for the Insane: A Manual for NursesGranger, William D.
Science
How to Care for the Insane: A Manual for Nurses
Granger, William D.
Psychiatric nursing
The attendant should be informed why restraint is used, and what is hoped
to be gained by its use. He should closely observe the effect upon the
patient and compare his condition with what it is when not restrained. The
result of these observations should be reported.
Thus used, an attendant will soon learn that it is not the easiest way to
care for a patient, that its use involves increased watchfulness and care,
and greater discretion, and that it is strictly a form of medical
treatment. It is a harsh remedy at its best, and needs to be used with
kindness, intelligence, and judgment, and it is to be applied but for one
purpose, namely, that the patient may be benefited.
_The Use of the Covered Bed._--Like restraint it is never to be used
except by the orders of a physician, nor is its use to be repeated without
special orders; it is always to be considered a method of treatment and
something the attendant has no interest in, except to know how best to use
it when ordered to do so.
When in a covered bed the patient should be frequently visited; he should
be taken up at least once in three hours, unless asleep; the bed and the
patient should be kept perfectly clean. If used in the daytime an
attendant should sit beside the patient for some hours and try to keep him
quietly in bed, and the same should be done in the evening when the
patient is put to bed. An attendant should be able to report how much the
patient sleeps, how much quiet and rest is obtained, the effect of the
treatment, and compare the condition of the patient when in the bed with
what it is when not used.
_The Use of Seclusion._--Seclusion is shutting a patient alone in a room
in the daytime. If allowed to be done without orders from the physician
it should be immediately reported. If ordered to be continued the patient
should be seen at least once in fifteen minutes, while many need to be
seen once in five minutes, and an attendant should never be far from the
door. The patient should be frequently taken to the closet. The effect and
result of seclusion should be observed and reported.
Many physicians never use any form of restraint, while others make
considerable use of it as a means of treatment. An attendant should be
able to successfully care for any case, so as to meet the wishes and
directions of the physician, and only as he is able to do this can he give
the patient the highest standard of attention, care, and nursing.
CHAPTER VII.
THE CARE OF THE HOMICIDAL, SUICIDAL, AND THOSE INCLINED TO ACTS OF
VIOLENCE.
Patients with Delusions of Suspicion demand special care, and are properly
classed with those inclined to commit acts of violence, because they are
frequently fully under the control of delusions, which make them dangerous
and difficult to manage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account