Show generalized PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING editors note this is the second vi 01 a series gerles ot of articles dealing with the functions notions Fu ol of public health nursing and duties which axe are to be performed in the community by a public health nurse all the functions of the public health nurse put together form a well rounded public health nursing program it one service is carried on as a separate activity it needs to be in close relationship with other phases ot of public health nursing in practice it is impossible to separate one type of nursing service from the others which may be needed in a particular family hence in the interest of efficiency and economy there is a trend to fard 9 ard having one nurse in a dimito arft area perform all functions it is recognized that many of the functions listed below under specific phases of the health program are common to all public health nursing in order however to present a complete picture in each unit they are repeated maternity the public health nurse 1 gets gels in touch with prospective mothers and assists in securing medical and dental examination and supervision early in pregnancy and throughout the ante hartum period 2 assists in planning ani an I 1 preparing tor for confinement and in securing a postpartum medical examination 3 gives or arranges tor for nursing care throughout the maternity cycle including assistance at home confinements and care to mother and baby during postpartum period 4 teaches through demonstration and supervises care given by relatives attendants and midwives 5 helps the family to carry out specific medical advice as to maternal hygiene and infant care 6 participates in promoting adequate resources for maternity care through utilizing appropriate channels of community education infant and preschool health the public healie nurse 1 assists in securing complete birth registration 2 assists in securing medical supervision per vision dental examination and correction of detects defects tor for every child 3 gives or arranges tor for nursing caro care tor for sick children teaches through demonstration and supervises ses caro care given by relatives and attendants 4 assists in the control of com coin ablo diseases through teaching tile the recognition of early carly symptoms the importance of isolation and the value ot of immunization tion 5 participates in programs for the prevention ot of handicaps and the caro care and education of 0 handicapped children a assists the family to carry out general and specific medical advice concerning proper feedon with emphasis on the techniques of breast feeding 7 assists the family to carry out general and specific medical instruction st concern ing hygiene and the dally daily regime of the child including instruction of parents in the desirability of 0 early establishment ot of sound health habits |