Pediculosis Treatment

Subject: Fundamentals of Nursing

Overview

Pediculosis Treatment

It is described as the condition of having lice. A tiny parasite that feeds on blood is called pediculli or lice.

It is linked to poor personal hygiene; it can be contracted in crowded, unhygienic settings and via contact with sick people.

Purposes

  • to eliminate nits and pediculi.
  • to stop others from contracting it.
  • to encourage comfort
  • to avoid lice, infections, and irritation.
  • to encourage a feeling of wellbeing.

Dangers of Pediculosis

  • intense itch.
  • scratching and the development of an abscess.
  • there is dandruff present.
  • due to pain and itching, there is restlessness and sleeplessness.
  • due to infected glands, there are nodules at the back of the head.

Types of Pediculli

  • Pediculus Capitus: which infest the head.
  • Pediculus Corporis: which infest the body and are found with its nits in the clothing.
  • Pediculus Pubis: which infests the axillary and pubic hair, the eyebrows and sometimes the eyelashes.

Medications Used

  • DDT powder one part to nine part of the talcum powder.
  • Kerosene mixed with equal parts of sweet oil, destroys both lice and nits.
  • Carbolic lotion (1:40)
  • Readily available, lysil.
  • Medicare shampoo.
  • Preparation containing gammabenzene hexachloride available in the market.

Principles of Pediculosis Treatment

  • By outlining the method to the patient, you may win their trust and cooperation.
  • Uphold your privacy.
  • Keep the items close to your bed.
  • The parasiticides are thoroughly applied to the scalp (and, if necessary, the body) and are then kept on for the night.
  • The next morning, the linens are replaced and a thorough bath is provided.
  • To get rid of the lice from the clothing, the linen needs to be completely cleaned.
  • After a week, the treatment is carried out again since the parasiticides are ineffective against the nits (eggs)..

Articles

Trolley containing:

  • Mackintosh,
  • Bath towels -2,
  • Wash cloth,
  • A cap, a triangular bandage or a towel folded diagonally,
  • Safety pins,
  • Kidney tray with disinfectant e.g. Carbolic acid 1:40,
  • Paper bag,
  • Hair comb,
  • Cotton swabs or a gauze piece in a container,
  • Vaseline,
  • Gown, mask and cap,
  • Bucket with antiseptic solution e.g. Carbolic acid 5%.

Procedures

S.N. Nursing Action  Rationales
1 Identify patient and specific instruction. Ensures that right procedure is performed for right patient.
2 Assess the condition of the patient, general hair hygiene, amount of pediculi and the nits must be observed. This determines the presence of any conditions that may require the use of special shampoo or treatments.
3

Explain the procedure to the patient and patient party.

 Relieves anxiety and helps patient to cooperate.
4 Pull curtain or close door. Provides privacy.
5 Wash the hands. Prevents spread of microorganisms.
6 Arrange the articles on the bed side. Facilitate to perform procedure.
7

Place the patient in a supine position if the condition permits.

 Promotes patient's comfort.
8 Bring the patient's head and shoulders towards the end of the bed. Prevents over stratching and allows use of good body mechanics.
9

Protect the pillow and bed with a mackintosh and  towel.

Protect the patients' eyes with a clean drape water cloth.

 Prevents soiling of bed and pollow.
10 Put off the fan. Prevents the parasites splitting over the face during its applications.
11 Wash hands thoroughly. Put on gown, mask and cap. Prevents spread of microorganisms.
12

Part the hair into small sections and apply the  parasiticides on the hair and scalp rubbing gently. In long hair medicine has to be applied along the whole length of the hair. Roll up the long hair to the top of the head and cover the head with cap on triangular. Bandage or by a towel folded diagonally secure it with pins.

Clean the hair after given instructions. Rinse repeatedly with warm water till thorough cleanliness is ensured. 

Ask the patient if he/she is comfortable.

Dry the patient's hair with towel/hair dryer.

 Ensure clean hair properly.
13 Remove the mackintosh and towels from under  the patient's head. Promotes client's comfort.
14 Keep patient in comfortable position, make tidy of bed if necessary. Promotes client's comfort.
15 Replace all articles after cleaning and disinfecting. Wash hands. Reduce risk of transmission of microorganisms.
16 Record the procedure including the conditions of the scalp, hair and any abnormalities in the patient's chart. Ensures communication between staff members.

 

Special Consideration

  • The next morning, the hair should be washed.
  • Because the parasiticides do not impact the nits, repeat the treatment after a week.
  • Before washing, sterilize any items that have come into touch with the hair by soaking them for an hour in a carbolic acid solution (1:20).

Care of Eye

Eye care is the process of cleaning one/both eyes using prescribed solution for removing secretion and for prevention infection.

Purposes

  • to experience suffering once more.
  • to avoid becoming sick.
  • help protect the eye from additional harm.
  • to offer eye drop instillation or eye ointment treatment.

Articles

  • Mackintosh-1.
  • Pillow-1.
  • A clean tray containing:
    • Sterile eye dressing pack
    • Gallipot -1.
    • Cotton balls with paper bag.
    • Disposable towel.
    • Sterile swabbing solution e.g. normal saline.
    • Kidney tray -1.
    • Sterile gloves (if eye is infected)- 1 pair.

Procedures

S.N. Nursing Action Rationale
1 Identify patient and specific instruction. Check the physician's order, progress note and nursing care plan.

Ensures that right procedure is performed for right patient.

Obtains specific information.
2 Explain the patient and visitors what you are going to do. Provides client's cooperation.
3 Pull curtain or close door. Provides privacy.
4 Wash hands with soap and water. Prevents infections.
5 Prepare the articles and bring it near to the patient's bed. Facilitate to perform procedure.
6

Keep the patient in comfortable position, preferably in the supine position or seated with head inclined backwards.

 Ensure easiness to perform procedure.
7 Ensure adequate light. Enables maximum observation of the eye without causing the patient harm or discomfort.
8 Always treat the uninfected eye first with the eyes closed. Avoids cross infection.
9 Lightly moisten a swab in the prescribed solution. If the swab is too wet, the solution will run down the client's cheek.
10

Gently swab from the inner canthus of the eye to the outer canthus using each swab only once until all discharge has been removed.

 Avoid the risk of discharge entering into the lachrymal duct. 
11

Gently dry the patient's eyelids to remove  excess moisture.

 Prevents entering the solution to the eye.
12 Ensure that the patient is comfortable. Promotes comfort.
13 Replace the equipment safely after cleaning and drying. Leaves the unit clean and articles ready for further use.
14 Wash hands with soap and water and dry. Prevents cross infection.
15 Document the procedure appropriately and Document the procedure appropriately and staffs. Ensures communication between staff members.
Things to remember

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