# 27

27. DISCUSS THE PATIENT EDUCATION NEEDED FOR THE CLIENT WHO HAS AN INFECTION:
- emphasize necessity of taking antibiotics as directed (dosage and length of therapy) premature discontinuation of treatment when cleint begins to feel well may result in return of infection.
-discuss the importance of not taking antibiotics/using leftover drugs unless specifically instructed by healthcare provider. Inappropriate use can lean do development of drug-resistant strains/secondary infections (MRSA VRE)
-discuss the role of smoking in respiratory infections
-include info in preoperative teaching about ways to reduce potential for postoperative infection( respiratory measures to prevent pneumonia, wound/dressing care, avoidance of others with infection)
-involve in appropriate community education programs to increase awareness of spread/preventon of communicatble diseases
-promote safer-sex practices and report sxual contacts of infected individuals to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.