Foods and home making

How can we help to make a patient comfortable? Glaring light in a room may be disturbing ; it may prevent a sick person Figure 141. Long-Stemmed Flowers in a Tall Vase Can you imagine how these peonies would look in this tall vase if the stems were shorter so that only the heads of the flowers extended above the top of the vase? The blossoms would be massed together so that their beauty would not show to good advantage. Only long-stemmed flowers look good in tall containers. See page 107 of Chemistry by Greer and Bennett, Allyn and Bacon. 480 Health and Child Care from sleeping. Notice the light in the sick room. It may be that by adjusting the window shades you can make him much more comfortable. The temperature of a sick room should be watched carefully. The air should be kept fresh. It is not always wise to have a window open; the draft may strike the patient directly. Sometimes a window may be opened (for a few minutes at least) in an adjoining hall or room. In such case, ask an older person or the doctor about ventilating the sick room. A gauze window screen, a folding screen, or a sheet hung over one or two chairs may be used to prevent drafts from open windows or doors. Try to keep the sick roam tidy. Do this as quietly as you can. If working in the room annoys the patient it may be better to do the least possible work rather than to disturb the patient. How should medicine be given? If the responsibility of giving a sick person medicine rests on you, be sure that you do this important thing well. A definite time for giving medicine is usually stated on the label, or the doctor gives careful directions about the time. In any case, be prompt in giving the medicine. Figure 142. Long-Stemmed Flowers in a Bowl Long-stemmed flowers may be placed in a bowl if the bowl is large enough. A wire holder permits a more graceful arrangement than one of glass or pottery. Caring for the Sick in the Home 481 It is important to give the right medicine. In order to make sure that no mistake is being made about the kind of medicine, read the label twice before you pour out the medicine. Since it is so important to read the label, it should be kept clean. Pour the medicine from the side of the bottle opposite the label. If any medicine runs down the bottle, it will not stain the label. Note how much medicine you are to give. If a teaspoon is to be given, be sure you have a clean teaspoon with which to meas- ure the medicine. Do not guess at the measure. If possible, after pouring medicine, keep the bottles out of the patient’s sight. Medicine bottles are not very attractive to look at constantly. Note to the Teacher: Making a bed for a sick person, changing bed linens when a patient is in bed, caring for the teeth and hair of a patient, and bathing a patient in bed can be taught best by demonstrations. Demonstrations may be given by a visiting nurse or by you yourself. For suggestions regarding these topics, see the Red Cross textbook, Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick by Jane Delano, P. Blakiston’s Son & Co.