Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

SKILL 10-1

Promoting Patient Comfort (Continued)

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b. Encourage the patient to begin with several minutes of

focused breathing, relaxation, or meditation. (Refer to

specific information in steps 15 and 16.)

c. Help the patient concentrate on the peaceful, pleasant

image.

d. If indicated, read a description of the identified scene or

experience, using a soothing, soft voice.

e. Encourage the patient to concentrate on the details of

the image, such as its sight, sounds, smells, tastes, and

touch.

16. Consider the use of relaxation activities, such as deep
    breathing.
    a. Have the patient sit or recline comfortably and place
    hands on stomach. Close the eyes.
    b. Ask the patient to mentally count to maintain a
    comfortable rate and rhythm. Have the patient inhale
    slowly and deeply while letting the abdomen expand
    as much as possible. Have the patient hold his or her
    breath for a few seconds.
    c. Tell the patient to exhale slowly through mouth, blow-
    ing through puckered lips. Have the patient continue to
    count to maintain comfortable rate and rhythm, concen-
    trating on the rise and fall of abdomen.
    d. When the patient’s abdomen feels empty, have the
    patient begin again with a deep inhalation.
    e. Encourage patient to practice at least twice a day, for
    10 minutes, and then use as needed to assist with pain
    management (Schaffer & Yucha, 2004).


17. Consider the use of relaxation activities, such as progressive
    muscle relaxation.
    a. Assist the patient to a comfortable position.
    b. Direct the patient to focus on a particular muscle group.
    Start with the muscles of the jaw, then repeat with the
    muscles of the neck, shoulder, upper and lower arm,
    hand, abdomin, buttocks, thigh, lower leg, and foot.
    c. Ask the patient to tighten the muscle group and note
    the sensation that the tightened muscles produce. After
    5 to 7 seconds, tell the patient to relax the muscles all at
    once and concentrate on the sensation of the relaxed
    state, noting the difference in feeling in the muscles
    when contracted and relaxed.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice