Care of Paralyzed Patients

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

The loss of coordinated muscular movement in a particular bodily area is referred to as paralysis. Muscle loss causes paralysis in the affected area when it affects a system of muscles, such as the hand, legs, facial, or leg muscles. Numbness or a loss of sensation in the affected region occurs along with the loss of voluntary muscle action. These include monoplegia, paraplegia, etc. It can lead to injuries, malignancies, strokes, and more. Patient struggles with walking, balance issues, stiff joints, erectile dysfunction, breathing issues, digestive issues, pain, etc. The condition of lifelong paralysis is currently incurable. Making a patient as independent as possible is the goal of treatment in order to aid in their adjustment to life with paralysis. Encourage and support the patient. It is important for all health care staff to give the stroke patient and their family member encouragement and support. Encourage as much independence as possible.

Numbness or a loss of sensation in the affected region occurs along with the loss of voluntary muscle action. As a result, the individual with the paralyzed part of their body feels no discomfort or changes in temperature, such as heat or cold.

Types of paralysis:

One limb only—the hand or the leg—is affected in a monoplegic condition.
In a diplegic condition, both limbs are affected.
Leg paralysis is referred to as paraplegia. This term translates to "half-striking." When there is a spinal cord damage, it occurs.
Quadriplegia refers to the paralysis of both the arms and the legs. All four limbs of the individual are afflicted.
The term "loss of function to one side of the body" is "hemiplegia."
The weakness of one side of the body is known as hemiparesis. When an elderly person has a stroke, many ailments can develop.

Causes of paralysis:

Strokes
Tumors
Trauma
Multiple sclerosis
Cerebral palsy

Problems faced by paralyzed patients:

Trouble walking
Loss of balance
Stiff joints
Loss of calcium to bones from the lack of weight bearing activity, bed rest and lack of mobility.
Fractured because of loss of calcium.
Muscle spasms
Trouble with speech and talking
Trouble swallowing food and liquid
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Sexual problems
Breathing problems
Problem with digestion
Pain
Kidney stone
Gall bladder stones
Muscle atrophy

Treatment of paralysis

The condition of lifelong paralysis is currently incurable. Making a patient as independent as feasible is the goal of treatment in order to aid in their adaptation to life with paralysis.

Nursing care

Make sure the patient is safe and prevent falls.
Support and encouragement for the patient All members of the medical team should offer the stroke patient and their family members support and encouragement.
Encourage independence as much as you can.
Feed hemiplegic patients by putting food in their mouths on the healthy side.
Ensure proper skin care.
Use the patient's supportive and assistive gadgets to help.
Observe the prescribed bladder and bowel retention programs.
Assist the person with their regular duties.
Help the patient move around and ambulate.
Exercise the person's range of motion.
After a stroke, the patient should be encouraged and supported.
Managing the bowels and bladder:
- Regular bowel evacuations are necessary to avoid stool impaction.
- To avoid constipation, a doctor could prescribe liquid stool softeners or an enema.
- In order to prevent infection, catheter care should be given at least once per shift.

Use of assistive device:

Some of the assistive devices that a physical therapist uses to help the person walk are:
- canes
- walkers
- gait belts

Occupational Therapy

Many paralyzed people might not be able to perform part or all of the daily activities. These people can benefit from a wide variety of things. They are able to operate a computer, get around the house in a head-activated wheelchair, and even operate a vehicle.

Occupational therapy aids the patient in carrying out daily activities.

References

davayurvedaezine.com › Feb 2009
indyarocks.com/blogs/blog_visiterview_main.php?id=235367
jamiiforums.com › Educational, Tech & Prof › JF Doctor
Mandal, G. (August 2013). A Textbook of Adult Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar kathmandu: Makalu publication house. Retrieved August 2013

Things to remember

Paralysis is defined as the loss of muscle movement coordination in some part of the body.
The loss of voluntary muscle movement is accompanied by numbness or loss of sensation, in the affected part.
loss of calcium to bones from the lack of weight bearing activity, bed rest and lack of mobility.
Encourage as much independence as possible.
There is currently no cure for permanent paralysis.
The bowel should be evacuated regularly to prevent impaction of stool.
Assist the patient with mobility and ambulation.
Catheterization: provide catheter care at least once per shift to prevent infection.
Occupational therapies help the person to perform the activities of daily living.

Questions and Answers

Define paralysis. List is causes.

Definition

The lack of coordinated muscular action in a particular bodily area is referred to as paralysis. Muscle loss causes paralysis in the affected area when it affects a system of muscles, such as the hand, legs, face, or leg muscles.

Numbness or a loss of sensation in the affected part occurs concurrently with the loss of voluntary muscle movement. As a result, the person with the paralyzed part of their body feels no pain or changes in temperature, such as heat or cold.

Causes of Paralysis

Strokes,
Tumors,
Trauma,
Multiple sclerosis,
Cerebral palsy.

Explain the nursing care of patient with paralysis.

Nursing Care.

Protect the patient's safety and prevent falls.
Motivate and assist the sufferer. It is crucial for all medical professionals to encourage and assist the stroke sufferer and their family.
Promote independence to the fullest extent feasible.
Feed individuals with hemiplegia by putting the food on the inside of the mouth.
Take careful care of your skin.
Use the patient's aids and supports to assist them.
Adhere to the prescribed bowel and bladder retention regimens.
Provide assistance with the person's everyday activities.
Assist the patient with walking and movement.
Exercise their range of motion together.
Encourage and assist the patient after the surgery.
The bowel should be evacuated regularly to prevent impaction of stool.
A liquid stool softeners or enema may be ordered to prevent constipation.
Catheterization: provide catheter care at least once per shift to prevent infection.

Use of Assistive Device:

Some of the assistive devices that a physical therapist uses to help the person walk are ;

Canes
Walkers
Gait belts

Occupational Therapy

Many paralyzed persons might not be able to do part or all of the everyday tasks. These folks can benefit from a wide variety of things. They are able to operate a computer, get around the house in a head-activated wheelchair, and even operate a vehicle.