Welcome to Duke Lung Transplant Friends
Copyright© 2007 All Rights Reserved
Diane Detmer
Website designed, published and maintained by Diane Detmer
Contact Webmaster: dinki@charter.net
Diane Detmer
Website designed, published and maintained by Diane Detmer
Contact Webmaster: dinki@charter.net
Duke Lung Transplant Friends
Lung Transplantation
A Guide for Caregivers
by
Wayne Bulla
Lung Transplantation
A Guide for Caregivers
by
Wayne Bulla
Disclaimer
This guide is in no way directly associated with DUMC, or its affiliates. It was written by a caregiver for caregivers for the sole purpose to better prepare them for this overwhelming experience.
This guide is in no way directly associated with DUMC, or its affiliates. It was written by a caregiver for caregivers for the sole purpose to better prepare them for this overwhelming experience.
v Ask your bed-side nurse to show you how she’s performing tasks (IV connection, feeding tub hook up, glucose monitoring). There is a diabetic education specialist available to help you understand diabetes management, normal blood sugar ranges, symptoms of high and low blood surgar along with dietary considerations. Ask your nurse for this person to visit you.
v 3-4 days before d/c, start practicing caregiving tasks while the nurse monitors you.
v Request “hands on” tube feeding practice including J and G tube flush (Flush required 3 X daily)
v Request Diabetes blood sugar monitoring and insulin injection regimen in writing. Practice taking blood sugars and giving insulin.
v Request training on IV / Infusion set up-monitoring-removal procedures
v Know your drugs - Write down the name of each medication you will be administering after discharge from the hospital. The write down next to that name (scientific and generic) what the drug is being used for. Also write down how long the patient is scheduled to be taking each medication.
v Request training on incision care
v Make sure you understand dietary requirements before leaving the hospital so that you can be adequately prepared. If you are unsure about being able to meets these requirements on your own ask to see the dietition.
v It is wise to know the results of the bronchoscopy cultures taken. If there are any bacteria, fungus etc. growing and how much.
v 3-4 days before d/c, start practicing caregiving tasks while the nurse monitors you.
v Request “hands on” tube feeding practice including J and G tube flush (Flush required 3 X daily)
v Request Diabetes blood sugar monitoring and insulin injection regimen in writing. Practice taking blood sugars and giving insulin.
v Request training on IV / Infusion set up-monitoring-removal procedures
v Know your drugs - Write down the name of each medication you will be administering after discharge from the hospital. The write down next to that name (scientific and generic) what the drug is being used for. Also write down how long the patient is scheduled to be taking each medication.
v Request training on incision care
v Make sure you understand dietary requirements before leaving the hospital so that you can be adequately prepared. If you are unsure about being able to meets these requirements on your own ask to see the dietition.
v It is wise to know the results of the bronchoscopy cultures taken. If there are any bacteria, fungus etc. growing and how much.
Pre-Discharge Training