The Old Lady - 14

We were given holidays after the community visit. After the holidays ended we attended our college regularly. Days passed by normally and again it was the time for our second hospital posting and I was assigned in the morning duty at medical ward.

I woke up at 6 am, then I went to the hospital and changed into the nursing uniform. I entered the ward and at first greeted the sisters. Most of the patients had been awake at that time. I washed my hands and collected all the articles for bed making. I cleaned the lockers, IV stand and arranged the bed.

When I entered another room for bed making, I saw a very weak and old lady. Her bed was wrinkled all over and her son was still sleeping at the lowbed. I prepared the bed quickly and went to wash my hands. After that I again entered her room and asked if she had brushed her teeth. She said that she hadnot and so I performed oral care.

When I observed her properly, I found her hair to be rough and dirty. I asked her how long has it been since she washed her hair. "I havenot washed since I admitted in the hospital."

After that I went and looked at her medical file, she was admitted about ten days ago. That was the reason her hair was dirty. I asked her if she would like a hair wash and she agreed.

At 8 am, I first performed medications of the patients, then I went to collect the articles for hair wash. I performed hair wash and after that I combed her hair. She said that she felt lighter and thanked me.

Days passed and I used to regularly provide care to the old lady. It had been almost two weeks of her admission but her conditions were not improving at all.