What essential nursing skills do you think will be involved in taking Miss Jones’ history and carrying out an examination within her home?

When entering Miss Jones’ home ensure that you and your mentor have gained consent to carry out an examination. Using effective communication and ensuring person-centred care, maintain Miss Jones’ dignity at all times. When carrying out an assessment use a systematic approach (e.g. Roper, Logan & Tierney’s Activities of Living) ensuring the patient understands all the questions and actions that you and your mentor carry out. All information must be documented appropriately and counter signed by your mentor. When carrying out a physical examination, ensure all infection control precautions have been performed including hand washing and the wearing and disposing of appropriately personal protective equipment. Allow an opportunity for Miss Jones to ask any relevant questions or discuss any issues of her condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of constipation, why do they occur and how would you describe them to a patient?

Constipation is a slowing down in the frequency of bowel movements. A normal symptom is the hardening of stools and a feeling of discomfort and straining when defecating.

These symptoms can occur when a patient becomes immobile, dehydrated, has inadequate fibre intake and due to the use of some analgesics.