What Does An LPN Do?
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is a qualified individual who takes bedside care of sick, injured, old, disabled or terminally ill patients. They work under the directions of doctors, physicians and registered nurses. Licensed Practical Nurses are capable of performing their duties in households as well as clinics working in tandem with physicians. In clinics they administer I.V’s and drips as prescribed by doctors. They also perform clerical duties in some cases. LPN’s are trained in a variety of disciplines like administration of drugs, nursing concepts and patient care and nutrition etc.
In cases of injured patients, they are trained and taught to administer first aid and clean and dress wounds. If the person is immobile they are responsible for bathing and cleaning the patient. There training allows them to maintain standards of hygiene and cleanliness that prevent medical complications and infections. They wont be changing plaster if the patient has broken bones but they will try their best to prevent any subsequent injuries that may worsen the patient’s health.
Licensed Practical Nurses perform medical care duties on the sick and old as well. Old people need to be monitored all the time, especially if they carry a disease that requires medication to be administered regularly on time. Diabetes, Hepatitis, and cardio-vascular diseases require constant monitoring and timely medication. These nurses monitor blood pressure, temperature and blood glucose levels. They make sure patients take their medicine on time and don’t miss out on pills because they don’t want to or are just plain forgetful.
The disabled and terminally ill must be taken care of at all times. LPN’s are patient and helpful when it comes to dealing with such people. Not only do they provide much needed attention to the diseased but also make sure that medication, physiological exercises and medication go hand in hand. They help patients in bathing and dressing and through doctor-approved exercises try and make the patient regain forms of mobility. In cases of terminally ill patients, some states allow LPN’s to administer drips and I.V’s according to patients needs. These include pain killer medication for those in pain. They help these patients maintain a strict medical regiment.
LPN’s also work in clinics and hospitals. They might be kept responsible for particular patients or entire wards, depending on the nature of their duties. After primary examinations they perform wound cleaning and dressing on doctors orders. They are responsible for providing timely medication to patients. In some cases doctors employ LPN’s for clerical work. The work detail then includes keeping track of appointments, ordering medication as required and all other duties that are expected of those working in similar situations.