Lesego Margaret A. Mathiba

• Assess and monitor patients with kidney diseases
• Manage symptoms related to kidney failure, such as fluid overload and electrolyte imbalances
• Provide emotional support and education to patients and families
• Operate and monitor dialysis machines (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)
• Ensure patients remain stable during treatment, checking vital signs
• Prevent and manage dialysis-related complications, such as infections or low blood pressure
• Administer medications, including erythropoietin (to stimulate red blood cell production), iron supplements, and blood pressure medications
• Monitor patients for adverse reactions to medications
• Educating Patients & Families about kidney disease, dialysis procedure and lifestyle changes to slow disease progression
• Explain the importance of diet restrictions, fluid management and medication adherence
• Maintain accurate patient records, including dialysis logs and medication administration
• Follow hospital protocols and infection control procedures

- Initial Patient Assessment – Quickly evaluating a patient’s symptoms, vital signs, and medical history to determine urgency.

- Prioritizing Care – Assigning patients to appropriate levels of care based on their condition, ensuring critical cases are treated first.

- Providing First Aid or Basic Care – Administering basic treatments like wound cleaning, oxygen therapy, or pain management if needed before the doctor sees the patient.

- Communicating with Medical Staff – Relaying vital patient information to doctors and nurses for appropriate treatment.

- Guiding Patients and Families – Informing patients about wait times, next steps, and providing emotional support.

- Documenting Patient Information – Accurately recording symptoms, vital signs, and medical history in electronic health records.

- Following Hospital Protocols – Adhering to triage guidelines to ensure efficiency and patient safety.

• The above health measures were continued though I focused more on HIV positive patients
• Medication adherence counseling and health education on preventive, promotive and curative measures was my responsibility
• Checking patients’ CD4 counts and making sure their results are available when they come for their review

• I had the opportunity to manage a health facility (Gojwane Health Post); responsible for the day to day running of the facility
• Health preventive measures; screening patients for communicable diseases like TB, and Measles
• Also education on preventing HIV/AIDS and other STIs
• Screening of vital signs
• Health promotive measures; health education on maintaining good health which includes personal hygiene, environmental hygiene
• Health curative measures; treat the patient as per doctor’s prescription
• Also continue with health education and assisting the patient where needed until they are fit enough to care for themselves
• Referrals of patient for further medical attention