The role of a nurse in prevention: nursing care, responsibilities, functions

A huge number of pathological conditions can lead to a decrease in the quality of life, disability, and even death of a person. For this reason, disease prevention is important. The role of nurses in this matter is irreplaceable. They carry out educational work among patients, perform the necessary medical procedures, and organize health schools.

The general importance of the work of nurses

The profession of a nurse obliges the person who has chosen her to do a lot of work to prevent various infectious and non-infectious diseases. Appropriate measures and actions can protect your own health and the health of patients. The role of a nurse in disease prevention is determined by the profile of this specialist.

The fight against nosocomial infections

An extremely important problem is nosocomial infections (Nosocomial infections). Modern researchers claim that nosocomial infections occur in more than 10% of patients admitted to medical facilities. In the structure of these infections, the leading place belongs to purulent-septic lesions (about 80%). In second place are intestinal infections (more than 10% of the total number of nosocomial infections). Blood-borne viral hepatitis B, C, D are also present in the structure of nosocomial pathologies.

In matters of prevention of nosocomial infections, the role of nurses is basic, dominant. This medical staff acts simultaneously as the organizer, and performer, and controller. The basis of the list of measures is the daily and thorough implementation of the requirements of the anti-epidemic and sanitary-hygienic regime in the process of fulfilling professional duties:

• at least 2 times a day carry out wet cleaning with detergents and disinfectants;
• general cleaning is performed at least 1 time per month with thorough washing and disinfection of walls, floors, furniture, equipment (in the operating unit, dressing rooms, maternity rooms, general cleaning is planned once a week);
• medical devices are sterilized and disinfected, etc.

The role of a nurse in the prevention of nosocomial infections is indispensable, therefore, one of the most important links in this process is the ongoing training of medical personnel. Every employee should know that nosocomial infections are dangerous not only for patients, but also for all employees of a medical institution.

Postoperative complications

Not all diseases are treated with medication. With some pathologies, surgery is performed. After operations, patients require special attention, care, because their needs are violated (for example, self-care deficiency occurs), and dysfunctions of certain organs and systems may occur.

One of the roles of a nurse in the prevention of complications is the constant monitoring of the condition of the dressing in order to prevent the development of infections. If it gets wet with blood or other discharge from the wound, then it is necessary to inform the surgeon about this. In this condition, dressings are required. It is also important to ensure that the dressing does not slip, does not expose the postoperative suture.

After operations, the neuropsychic sphere of patients suffers. Insomnia, pain, increased nervous irritability are fraught with the development of psychoses that are life-threatening. The role of a nurse in the prevention of postoperative complications is to conduct calm explanatory conversations. It is advisable to place the patient after surgery in the ward, where there is a person who has undergone such surgery and is on the mend.

During operations on the chest, respiratory organs suffer. Pleurisy, oxygen deficiency, shortness of breath, pneumonia threaten the surgical patient. The task of the doctor and the role of the nurse in the prevention of complications is to teach the patient to breathe deeply after surgery, to clear his throat, and to ensure that he lies with an elevated position of the body.

The work of nurses in the prevention of pressure sores

In medicine, the prevention of pressure sores is an extremely important and difficult problem. The process of necrosis (tissue necrosis) occurs gradually when there is a violation of blood supply and microcirculation in those places that have a bedridden patient tightly in contact with the bed. For bedsores, several adverse features are characteristic:

• the process of tissue necrosis quickly spreads in depth and width;
• bedsores appearing on the body are characterized by slow repair and regeneration;
• infectious complications often develop.

The role of a nurse in the prevention of pressure sores is to carry out a whole range of activities. An important measure in preventing the process of necrosis of the soft tissues is a regular change in the patient's position. If a person lies on his right side, then after 1.5–2 hours he should be turned on his left side. After another 1.5–2 hours, this procedure is repeated. The patient is turned on his back.

Change linen regularly. It should always be clean and dry. Particular attention is paid to the sheet. All folds are smoothed, crumbs are shaken off. A sheet with patches and seams does not spread. Every day, the patient is examined for skin in those places where bedsores may appear. At least 1 time per day, vulnerable areas are washed. A soft and liquid soap is used. After the hygiene procedure, the detergent is thoroughly washed off, the skin area is dried. A protective cream (if indicated) may also be used when performing preventive measures by a nurse. The role of this tool is to create a water-repellent effect, preventing damage to the epidermis.

The head of the patient’s bed is recommended to be lowered to the lowest level (angle not more than 30 degrees). Thanks to this preventive measure, the pressure on the skin in the sacrum and tailbone area is reduced, and “slipping” from the pillow is eliminated. The nurse lifts the head for a short time when performing medical procedures.

Nurse and Infectious Diseases

A large number of bacteria live on our planet. Their number, according to experts, is 10 ³⁰ , not counting mushrooms, viruses, protozoa. Some bacteria are not harmful to humans. But there are among the microorganisms dangerous representatives that cause infectious diseases and harm to health. In the past, people died from infections. Today, there is salvation from pathogens - these are developed vaccines and medicines.

The role of a nurse in the prevention of infectious diseases is partially reduced to vaccinating children, notifying parents about this procedure. There is only one caveat. In Russia, the law on immunization is in force. It provides for the consent of the child's parents for vaccination. Some moms and dads refuse preventive care. They make such a mistake due to lack of awareness, unfounded fears, and possession of false information. The task of the health worker is to convince the need for a vaccine, to talk about the possible consequences of failure.

Another role of the nurse in prevention is the preparation of visual materials on infections for visitors to clinics. With the help of posters, booklets, you can demonstrate to the population the danger of certain diseases. For example, there is such an infectious disease as rabies. It develops after the bite of a sick animal. The incubation period is long - 3-6 months. The bite site heals, but suspicious symptoms occur - the temperature rises, the state is depressed, sensitivity to light, sounds increases, fear of water, aerophobia are observed. People should know that after a bite of an unknown animal, they should immediately consult a doctor. At the early stage, treatment and prophylactic immunization with rabies vaccine is carried out. After the onset of symptoms, nothing can be done. The patient is waiting for death.

Preventive measures against tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a serious threat to the health of people around the world. Currently, 1/3 of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. So in Latin the pathogen of tuberculosis is designated. Each year, experts register about 8 million new infections and 2 million deaths from this disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis kills more people than any other pathogens.

From the first days of life, the prevention of tuberculosis begins. The role of a nurse is to administer a vaccine to a newborn in the hospital on days 3–7. Revaccination is performed at 7 and 14 years. Among the adult population, a preventive program is being implemented in medical facilities where people seek primary care with symptoms of tuberculosis. Medical staff, in contact with patients, has a unique opportunity to reduce the likelihood of spreading the pathogen. Tuberculosis is a contagious disease. According to statistics, a sick person infects about 10-15 people per year. At the stage of primary medical care, it is important to conduct a conversation:

• about the need to arrange a separate room in a house or apartment, the acquisition of personal utensils;
• the importance of examining family members, close friends, often in contact with the patient;
• about the curability of tuberculosis with regular use of all prescribed drugs and compliance with the duration of treatment.

In tuberculosis, as in other diseases, another role of a nurse in prevention is public health education. During its implementation, the medical staff is required to talk about the signs and symptoms of the disease, about the reasons for which, immediately after a suspicious deterioration in well-being, one should seek medical help.

The role of a nurse in cancer prevention

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. This is not one kind of disease. The term "cancer" refers to a large group of diseases that affect different parts of the body. Existing statistics indicate that 12.7 million people with cancer are registered annually in the world. About 7.6 million patients die of cancer. This represents 13% of all deaths. Specialists from the World Health Organization believe that cancer can be avoided. In addition, early detection of the disease plays a very important role. Timely diagnosis significantly increases the chances of a cure.

Able to play an important role in the prevention of cancer, nurses, primary care physicians, specialized medical institutions. Each patient should have a short discussion about lifestyle. Here is a list of tips that people are advised to give:

1. "Do not smoke". Refusing cigarettes at any age and with any “experience” of smoking reduces the likelihood of developing the most common oncological diseases - cancer of the lung, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, kidney, etc.
2. "Fight overweight, eat right and lead an active lifestyle." It is best to make your diet from natural products - vegetables, fruits, fish and other seafood. It is undesirable to eat chips, canned food, instant noodles and drink sparkling water, drinks with dyes.
3. "Give up alcohol." The role of a nurse in the prevention of cancer is difficult to overestimate - she needs to convince the patient that alcohol must be deleted from life or at least significantly limited for her health. Such an action reduces the risk of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, and liver.

Obesity prevention

Obesity is called a global problem of modern health care. It bothers specialists, but people generally don’t think about extra pounds, lead an incorrect lifestyle, and consume oily high-calorie foods. Obesity not only spoils the look. It often leads to the development of severe concomitant diseases - arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, reproductive dysfunction, gallstone disease. Due to extra pounds, resistance to infectious and catarrhal diseases decreases, the likelihood of complications from injuries and surgical interventions increases.

The role of a nurse in the prevention of obesity is to carry out activities in 2 directions:

• in educational, aimed at developing skills of a healthy lifestyle;
• in wellness, which includes an assessment of the level of health and the development of individual wellness programs.

The educational direction is implemented in medical institutions due to the conduct of health education. Nurses prepare visual materials (memos, posters, brochures) on the prevention of obesity. Health schools are organized for patients, in which experts talk about proper nutrition, unhealthy foods, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

The wellness area affects both adults and children. It is implemented in medical institutions during preventive examinations, when advising on the preservation and promotion of health, when contacting people who want to receive an individual program for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of obesity in children is carried out in children's clinics from an early age. Its essence lies in the dynamic monitoring of the growth and development of babies and issuing recommendations to parents.

Hypertension Prevention

No less significant domestic health problem is hypertension. It is the most common disease of the cardiovascular system. Hypertension is understood as a persistent increase in arterial (blood) pressure. The disease is very insidious. Increased pressure at first does not affect well-being. People do not even suspect the presence of hypertension. The disease proceeds imperceptibly. No wonder she is called the "silent killer." Ultimately, hypertension leads to a stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction.

The role of a nurse in the prevention of hypertension is reduced to performing several tasks. One of them is conducting interviews with patients. First of all, the causes of hypertension are explained. Various factors lead to an increase in blood pressure:

• overweight;
• frequent consumption of fatty and salty foods;
• alcohol and smoking;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• frequent stressful situations;
• heredity;
• the presence of diabetes;
• age.

During the conversations, the nurse talks about the correct mode of the day, compliance with the regime of work and rest, the negative effects of alcohol and smoking, rational and balanced nutrition, the need to reduce body weight in the presence of extra pounds.

Another goal of a nurse in the prevention of hypertension is the creation of health schools for patients suffering from high blood pressure. These structures are necessary, because it is impossible to completely recover from the disease. Hypertension is the life partner of many people. However, you can keep the pressure normal. This is taught in health schools. Their goals are to convey to people all the features of hypertension, to teach patients to relate to the disease adequately, to instill help and self-help skills, and to focus on a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes control

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most serious medical and social problems. , , , . 3- , - .

This is not to say that in primary prevention the role of a nurse is very significant. The fact is that diabetes is associated with heredity. Also, external factors influence the onset of the disease. However, in some people they provoke the development of diabetes, while in others they do not. Nurses have to give general recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle - maintaining a normal body weight, a balanced diet, an adequate level of physical activity, etc.

Secondary prevention is carried out with already diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Its purpose is to prevent the occurrence of complications that are acute (diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, hyperosmolar coma) and later (diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, diabetic foot, etc.). Secondary prevention is based on patient education. Awareness of a sick person significantly affects the prognosis. Nurses play a huge role in the prevention of diabetes when organizing schools for people with this disease, in which people receive information about:

• disease in general;
• treatment objectives;
• possible complications;
• the need for self-monitoring of glucose levels;
• drug treatment;
• diet
• useful exercise.

The conclusion from all the above information begs one. In the process of preventing diseases and dangerous conditions, the role of the nurse is significant. It is this specialist who is involved in various activities aimed at maintaining the health and life of patients.