Psychomotor learning is the relationship between cognitive functions and physical movement and it involves demonstration of physical skills such as movement, coordination, dexterity, grace, strength, and speed. These are actions which demonstrate the fine motor skills such as the use of precision instruments or tools, or those actions which evidence gross motor skills such as the use of the body in dance, musical or athletic performance.
In nursing it is important to learn this skill for your patients. It is imperative to learn psychomotor skills to ensure the aged are well taken care of through nursing. In learning, here are important factors to consider:
Vital Signs-– It is very significant to know the vital signs and at the same time a prerequisite in nursing. These signs are physiological statistics. Pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure or respiratory rate, determine the functioning of the body. Learning about these signs is considered as a part of the training for psychomotor skills, as vital signs decide the basic function of the body. Recognizing impairment with any of these signs can help in curing them immediately and bringing back the lost motor skills.
Routine Care—as people gets old comes the deterioration or reduction of one’s mental ability to think, which is the cause of retarded motor skills. This is the main reason why the aged fail to perform basic routine activities. Therefore, nurses need to be skilled in bathing the aged, looking after them especially their foot, eye, ear and nose, oral care and every other small details which require them to move.
In nursing, ensuring patients’ safety is of utmost importance while looking after them. Assisting patients to take their medicines on time, making their beds, helping them exercise, and teaching them a few safety measures is very much a part of a nurse’s job description.
Hygiene— With the loss of psychomotor skills, the patient has a problem on basic hygiene too. For example, the proper washing of hands before eating or cleaning their surroundings, as well as wearing clean clothes, are often neglected being neglected. As a part of nursing care, one needs to be attentive to these basic rules of hygiene as well.
These skills can be learned through your mentors and observing other experienced nurses who have a firsthand experience in providing help. Make attempts at demonstrating these skills. Practicing them and studying them in greater detail will help you perform better. Once you are sure about the acquired skills in nursing, work on modifying the skill to suit your patients’ needs. There is no one size that fits all remedy, when it comes to treating the patient. So, you will have to think of ways and come up with something to perform the task differently to get the best out of your efforts.
