Treatment of Common Cold
If your resident shows signs and symptoms of the common cold,
• Assess pain.jpg)
• Administer alternative interventions to relieve symptoms
• Administer medications to relieve symptoms if required and prescribed
• Monitor breathing, check vital observations each shift, and auscultate lungs
• Check for laboured breathing, cyanosis, and cold and clammy skin
• Coughing and deep breathing should be encouraged, educate on holding the sternum when coughing
• Place the resident in a semi-fowler's position to facilitate breathing and lung expansion
• Encourage or assist in changing the resident's position often and encourage ambulation as tolerated to prevent secretions from accumulating
• Monitor and record the sputum colour, consistency, and amount
• Encourage fluids
• Educate on hand washing and correct disposal of secretions to prevent infection from spreading
• Use standard and transmission-based precautions to prevent infection from spreading
• Isolate
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Treatment Common cold symptoms usually subside within a week to ten days without treatment. There is a possibility that a cough may persist for a few days longer. Getting adequate rest and drinking plenty of fluids are recommended. Over-the-counter medications and alternative remedies can relieve fever, body aches, congestion, and cough. |