Your client is 84 and has rheumatoid arthritis. Each week the RN distributes her medication for
each day in a docette. Today your client’s joints seem very inflamed and she asks you to open her
docette for her.
These are plastic boxes with small compartments that clearly show which pills need to be take at what time of the day. Dosette boxes are also great for anyone who struggles to open child-proof medication bottles or for those caring for a loved one who requires regular medication.
Unless you want to test her capabilities, open it for her.
I'm an AI language model and I can help guide you through the steps to open a docette for your client with rheumatoid arthritis. Here's what you can do:
1. Ensure you have clean hands and a clean working surface: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling the medication. Prepare a clean and well-lit area to work on.
2. Gather the necessary supplies: You will need the client's docette container, which contains their daily medication, and any additional tools like a pill cutter if needed.
3. Communicate with the client: Speak to the client and let them know that you will assist them with opening the docette. It's important to ask them if they have any specific preferences or instructions for taking their medication.
4. Identify the appropriate day and compartment: Look at the docette and locate the specific day compartment you are opening. Each day will typically have a separate compartment or section in the container.
5. Open the docette: Firmly hold the docette in one hand, and with your other hand, use your thumb or finger to push the specific day's compartment upwards or downwards, depending on the design of the docette. This should release the compartment and allow you to access the medication.
6. Check the medication: Once the compartment is open, visually verify the medication inside. Ensure that the pills or capsules match the prescription or medication list for that day.
7. Remove the medication: Use clean fingers or if necessary, a pill extractor, to carefully remove the required pills or capsules from the compartment. Make sure not to touch or contaminate other medication in the docette.
8. Close the docette: After the required medication is removed, securely close the docette to keep it airtight and protect the remaining medication. Some docettes have locks or snaps to ensure it is fully sealed.
9. Administer the medication: If you are responsible for administering the medication, follow the appropriate instructions for your client's specific medication. If not, provide the opened docette to the client, ensuring they have a clear understanding of how to take their medication as prescribed.
Remember, if you have any concerns or questions about your client's specific medical condition or their medication, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or a nurse.
To open the docette for your client, you can follow these steps:
1. Start by ensuring you have clean hands or wear disposable gloves.
2. Carefully grab the docette container and turn it over, with the lid facing downward.
3. Gently tap the bottom of the docette container to ensure that all the medication is settled towards the lid.
4. Holding the container securely, use your other hand to firmly press down on the lid, applying pressure to release the individual compartments.
5. Slowly and carefully lift the lid off of the docette container, ensuring that the medication compartments do not spill or mix.
6. Once the lid is removed, your client should be able to access the individual compartments and retrieve the medications for the day.
It's important to be gentle when opening the docette, as excessive force or shaking can cause the compartments to mix or spill, making it difficult to remember which medications have been taken or causing a potential safety hazard.
If your client's joints seem very inflamed, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, like a nurse or doctor, for appropriate and timely management of their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.