General nursing can also be learned by laypersons.
Most of the people dependent on care in Germany are cared for at home. Whoever has to perform care measures at home usually does not have practical knowledge in general nursing. However, general nursing for domestic applications is learnable. Health and advice centers and community care centers hold corresponding training courses. If rehabilitating patients are concerned, instruction is given by hospital staff. Necessary knowledge can also be acquired by reading specialist literature.
Basic care - Treatment care - Prophylactic measures
General nursing can be divided intothree areas:
Basic care
Treatment care
Prophylactic measures
Basic care encompasses body care and hygiene, a healthy and sufficient diet, the support of regular excretions and sufficient movement possibilities..
Treatment care includes activities which support the physician’s work:
Temperature, pulse and blood pressure checks
Monitoring the intake of drugs
Application of compresses
Inunctions
Proper dressing changes, administration of injections, placement of a bladder catheter etc. are usually the physician’s or nurse’s job. If the situation requires it, this can also be learned by laypersons
Prophylactic measures serve to prevent imminent diseases such as pressure sores, thromboses, or pneumonia through preventive watchfulness.
