Lesson 1 Care of the Ward

Text: Care of the Ward

Grammar: Types of Questions

I. Active Vocabulary

fatigue chill strain insufficient immense trivial odour current thoroughly purpose scrupulous germ dust to inhibit crockery plague mop bits bedstead stiff spring to rust

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виділення зменшення рухливості; фіксація, закріплення; накладання шини пов’язка, бандаж висип садно, подряпина вугрове захворювання, вугрі пролежень пролежень обмеження (в пересуванні) розтирання підрізати, підстригати

II. Read and translate the text Care of the Ward

A hospital consists of several wards. A hospital ward is a division of a hospital (a separate room) in which patients with similar needs are placed together, either according to age, disease, or condition.

It should never be forgotten that the care of a patient begins the moment he enters the ward. Adequate care of the sick consists to a large extent in rendering their physical and mental surroundings as favourable as possible. In sickness even slight fatigue, chill, or nervous strain, insufficient ventilation, or improper feeding, may become factors of immense importance. Nothing is trivial if it affects the welfare and comfort of a patient.

Even when perfect provision for the care of the sick is out of the question, every effort should be made to insure as satisfactory arrangements as possible. The ward should be quiet, near the bathroom, and well removed from odours from the kitchen. It should be situated so that good ventilation is possible. A plentiful supply of fresh air is an important factor in the treatment of disease. It should be possible to open the window without exposing the patient to a direct current of air, and to open the door without placing him in full view of all who pass through the hall. A constant supply of “pure, fresh, flowing air” is essential to health. Once or twice a day the room should be thoroughly aired by opening windows and doors until the air has been completely changed. The patient, including his head, must be well-covered during the process.

—Sunlight is one of the most powerful disinfectants, and for this reason if for no other it is needed in every ward. Great care should be taken to maintain a suitable temperature in the ward, and for this purpose a thermometer in the room is a necessity.

It cannot be necessary to tell a nurse that she should be clean, or that she should keep her patient clean, — seeing that the greater part of nursing consists in preserving cleanliness. No ventilation can freshen a room or ward where the most scrupulous cleanliness is not observed. Every nurse should know how to keep her ward clean, and this is best learned by practice. Germs live in dust and are a source of infection. It is necessary that the ward is kept neat and clean so that growth of germs is inhibited. However, too much domestic work is not advocated.

Unnecessary articles such as crockery should be removed. For ceilings and walls high dusting is done. A long-handled soft brush covered with dampened cheese-cloth is generally used for this purpose. Always begin at the top and brush downward taking care that every part of the wall space is swept. Dry sweeping or dusting should not be allowed. The only way to remove dust, the plague of all lovers of fresh air, is to wipe everything with a damp cloth. Ordinary brooms should be dampened or covered with damp cloths, and dust cloths should be dampened also; but dustless mops and dusters are still better. Vacuum cleaning is very desirable; the noise, which is its only disadvantage, is not a serious objection in most cases.

Iron and glass, owing to their non-absorbency, and the comparative ease with which they can be cleansed, are the ideal materials for hospital furniture. It should be dusted daily with a clean, damp duster, special attention being paid to cracks, crevices, and bars, even when not in view, where dust and consequently germs will rest. The beds are made so that bits fall to the floor. The bedsteads must be disinfected after the discharge or death of a patient. Formaline and carbolic are the disinfectants most frequently used. A bedstead should be wiped frequently with a damp cloth; if it is of enamelled iron it may be washed with soap and water. The springs may be cleansed with a stiff brush dipped in kerosene oil. Excessive use of water upon the springs is likely to make them rust.

A sick room must be kept tidy as well as clean. Unnecessary articles should not be found in the room at any time; every necessary article should be kept in its place, and its place should be a good one.

Answer the following questions

1. What is a hospital ward?

2. What may become factors of immense importance in sickness?

3. Are there any requirements to the location of the ward?

4. How often should the ward be aired?

5. Why is sunlight needed in every ward?

6. What is a source of infection in the ward?

7. Is dry dusting allowed?

8. What is the only way to remove dust?

9. What is the disadvantage of vacuum cleaning?

10. Unnecessary articles should not be found in the ward, shouldn’t they?