be done and what the patient can do to assist with theactivity. Often the success of the test or procedure isdependent upon the patient’s informed cooperation.When collecting specimens, the Hospital Corpsmanmust complete the following procedures:Collect the correct kind and amount of specimenat the right time.Place the specimen in the correct container.Label the container completely and accurately.This often differs somewhat for each facility, andlocal policies should be consulted.Complete the laboratory request formaccurately.Record on the patient’s record or other forms, asappropriate; the date, time, kind of specimencollected; the disposition of the specimen; andanything unusual about the appearance of thespecimen or the patient during the collection.When assisting with a diagnostic procedure, theHospital Corpsman must understand the sequence ofsteps of the procedure and exactly how the assistancecan best be provided. Since many proceduresterminate in the collection of a specimen, the aboveprinciples of specimen collecting must be followed.Following the completion of a procedure orspecimen collection, it is the responsibility of theassisting Hospital Corpsman to ensure that thepatient’s safety and comfort are attended to, thephysician’s orders accurately followed, and anysupplies or equipment used appropriately discarded.MedicationsA major form of therapy for the treatment of illnessis the use of drugs. It is not uncommon for the medicalpatient to be treated with several drugs. As members ofthe healthcare team, Hospital Corpsmen assigned topreparing and administering medications are given aserious responsibility demanding constant vigilance,integrity, and special knowledge and skills. Thepreparation and administration of medications wereaddressed in great detail in the Hospital Corps Schoolcurriculum. References and the continued in-servicetraining devoted to medication administration at allmedical facilities support the importance of accuratepreparation and administration of drugs.An error—which also includes omissions—canseriously affect a patient, even to the point of causingdeath. Each Hospital Corpsman is responsible for hisown actions, and this responsibility cannot betransferred to another. No one individual is expected toknow all there is to know about all patients andmedications. However, in every healthcareenvironment, the Hospital Corpsman can access otherhealthcare providers who can assist in clarifyingorders; explaining the purposes, actions, and effects ofdrugs; and, in general, answering any questions thatmay arise concerning a particular patient and thatpatient’s medications. There should be basic drugreferences available to all personnel handlingmedications, including the Physicians’Desk Referenceand a hospital formulary. As a Hospital Corpsman, it isyour responsibility to consult these members of theteam and these references for assistance in any area inwhich you are not knowledgeable or whenever youhave questions or doubts. You are also responsible forknowing and following local policies and proceduresregarding the administration of medications.Food and Fluid TherapyThe following brief discussion covers food andfluid and how it relates specifically to the medicalpatient. Loss of appetite, food intolerance, digestivedisturbances, lack of exercise, and even excessiveweight gain influence a medical patient’s intakerequirements. Regardless of their medical problems,patients have basic nutritional needs that frequentlydiffer from those of the healthy person. As a part of thepatient’s therapeutic regimen, food is usuallyprescribed in the form of a special diet. Regardless ofthe kind of diet prescribed, the patient must understandwhy certain foods are ordered or eliminated, and howcompliance with the regimen will assist in his totalcare. It is the responsibility of the Corpsman to assistthe patient in understanding the importance of theprescribed diet and to ensure that accurate recording ofthe patient’s dietary intake is made on the clinicalrecord.In many disease conditions, the patient is unable totolerate food or fluids or may lose these throughvomiting, diarrhea, or both. In these cases,replacement fluids as well as nutrients are an importantpart of the patient’s medical management. On the otherhand, there are several disease conditions in whichfluid restrictions are important aspects of the patient’stherapy. In both of these instances, accuratemeasurement and recording of fluid intake and outputmust be carefully performed. Very frequently thisbecomes a major task of the staff Hospital Corpsman.2-14
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