For this assignment I asked my roommates if they would be willing to be photographed. I chose to have one wear a mask, one to pretend as if they were coughing into their own hands, and one to stand unmasked. I chose this scenario as this both discusses the importance of preventative measures, but also an art in nursing which is crucial, patient education.
Patient education is something which every nurse engages in every shift, from a patient who suffers from high blood pressure and the importance of lifestyle modifications to a teenager who is open to new opportunities and should be aware of the risks pertaining to dangerous behavior (primarily drug and alcohol usage) and the preventative measures against STI’s as well as unexpected pregnancy. Patient education is especially crucial now due to the current pandemic as I have seen many individuals not adhering to CDC guidelines. Although patient education is being done through many bases teaching the public about the importance of wearing a mask not only to protect themselves but those around them as well, many still do not adhere. As depicted above, one would have the virus, one would most definitely contract the virus, and one’s preventative measure may not protect them enough from contracting the virus. Hand hygiene, wearing a mask properly, washing reusable masks, and social distancing are all crucial to patient education during this pandemic. The art of nursing is also prominent in therapeutic conversations which integrated into patient education can be extraordinarily beneficial. Setting a safe and comfortable environment for a patient to speak freely allows a patient to be more perceptive to the education which is being administered.
