✨ Why These Conditions Matter
There are eight health issues that are often overlooked and need to be carefully monitored. These conditions can progress rapidly and lead to serious complications.
The eight conditions are:
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Skin care (pressure sores, skin breakdown)
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Aspiration pneumonia
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Falls
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
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Dehydration
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Constipation and bowel obstruction
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Sepsis
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Seizures
✅ General Process When You Notice Concerning Changes
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Call 911 if there is an emergency
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Immediately talk with your supervisor about what you are observing
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Follow agency policies for contacting medical professionals, reporting medical issues, and documenting conditions
1) Skin Care (Pressure Sores, Skin Breakdown)
Healthy skin helps regulate temperature, protect internal organs, and protect against infection. Signs of skin problems can include abnormal color, rashes or sores, temperature changes, and parasites. Report concerns immediately and follow your program’s procedures.
Pressure sores are skin damage from lack of blood flow due to pressure, friction, or pulling on the skin. Prevention includes daily skin checks, keeping skin clean and dry, minimizing moisture exposure, preventing friction during transfers, frequent repositioning, and using protective or adaptive equipment like cushions or specialized mattresses.
2) Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and airways from breathing in foreign material. It can develop from inhaling food, vomit, liquids, or saliva into the lungs, often related to swallowing difficulties. Report signs immediately and follow your program’s procedures.
Prevention strategies include correct positioning while eating and sleeping, correct diet texture and fluid consistency, good handwashing and respiratory hygiene, and avoiding assisting with meals if the person is sedated.
3) Falls
Falls can lead to serious injuries. Factors that contribute to falls include health issues and medication, clutter, slick surfaces, poor lighting, lack of non-skid footwear, and lack of appropriate adaptive equipment.
If someone falls, do not move them until you assess for injury or fracture. Call 911 if you suspect injury, and document and report all falls as required. Prevention includes keeping spaces well lit and obstacle-free, using appropriate adaptive equipment, monitoring medications, using non-skid shoes, allowing adequate time for movement, and locking wheelchair or bed wheels during transfers.
4) Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. Symptoms may include pain or burning during urination, increased urgency or frequency, incontinence, abdominal or pelvic discomfort, confusion or behavioral changes, increased falls, mild fever, or urine changes (cloudy, bloody, foul-smelling). Upper UTIs may develop rapidly and require emergency care.
If symptoms are noted, the person should see a health care professional as soon as possible, and you should notify your supervisor and follow documentation rules. Prevention includes drinking fluids, not postponing urination, keeping genital areas dry and clean, changing clothes when incontinent, wiping front to back, and following catheter care schedules when applicable.
5) Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Vomiting and diarrhea are common reasons for fluid loss. Symptoms can include concentrated yellow urine, dry mouth and nose, dry skin, decreased tear production, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and lightheadedness. Severe symptoms can include confusion, little or no urination, weakness, changes in vital signs, and skin tenting.
If symptoms are noted, the person should see a health care professional as soon as possible, and you should notify your supervisor and follow documentation rules. Prevention includes offering clear fluids (water, broths, popsicles, Jell-O), offering a variety of beverages, drinking frequently through the day, cooling off indoors after heat exposure, and using electrolyte drinks if appropriate. Hydration needs can vary, and medical restrictions may apply.
6) Constipation and Bowel Obstruction
Constipation involves slow movement of stool, leading to infrequent bowel movements and hard, dry stools. Signs can include changes in bowel habits, infrequent bowel movements, straining, small hard stools, abdominal swelling, belly pain, bright red blood in stools, and leakage of diarrhea-like stool between regular bowel movements. Severe constipation can lead to fecal impaction or bowel obstruction.
If constipation is noted, notify your supervisor and follow documentation rules. A general rule is: if there is no bowel movement in 2 days, report immediately to medical staff. If you suspect bowel obstruction, call 911. Prevention includes fluids, fiber-rich foods, exercise, regular bathroom routines, privacy, and regular toileting schedules.
7) Sepsis
Sepsis is a serious condition caused by an overwhelming immune response to infection. It can progress rapidly and lead to organ failure and death. Stages can include fever and increased heart/respiratory rate, decreased urine output, changes in mental status, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and extremely low blood pressure in septic shock. Report signs immediately and follow documentation rules.
Prevention focuses on early diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is most successful when started quickly.
8) Seizures
Seizures are abnormal movements or behavior due to electrical activity in the brain. Signs can include blackouts with confusion, behavioral changes, drooling, shaking, loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden falling, teeth clenching, temporary stop in breathing, and muscle spasms.
Always follow the person’s seizure protocol. If there is no protocol: provide a cushion for the head, remove glasses, loosen tight clothing, turn the person on their side, do not put anything in their mouth, and do not hold them down. Call 911 in situations such as seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes, breathing not returning to normal, injury, seizure in water, or if the protocol requires it. Notify your supervisor and follow documentation rules.