NURSING RECORDS
Whether the nurse be the mother, caretaker, practical or professional nurse, a record should always be kept of the condition of the patient. The temperature should be reported at different periods designated by the physician. The pulse should be recorded, the amount of urine passed and the time it was passed, the number of bowel movements, all feedings and the general well being of the child—whether it is restless or comfortable, sleeping or awake, together with the water that he drinks.
The record may be kept, if necessary, on a piece of common letter paper, and should read something like this:
March 26, 1916
7 a. m. Temperature 102; pulse 132; respiration 40; morning toilet; took 4 ounces of milk; 2 ounces of barley water; 1 ounce of lime water.
9 a. m. Enema given; good bowel movement; mustard paste applied to chest, front and back, and oil-silk jacket applied; drank boiled water, 4 ounces.
11 a. m. Took the juice of one orange; temperature 103; pulse 135.
12 Noon. Very listless and nervous; temperature 104. Has coughed a great deal. Gave mustard paste to chest, front and back, and wet-sheet pack.
1:30 p. m. Temperature 101.8; 4 ounces of water to drink; looks better.
3 p. m. Has slept 1-1/2 hours; temperature 102.5; pulse 134; respiration 40; 6 ounces of food given (3 ounces of milk, 2 ounces of barley water and 1 ounce of lime water).
A record like this is a great help to the physician, and such a record may be kept by anyone who can read and write. There are printed record blanks which may be procured from any medical supply house and most drug stores.