ORTHOPEDIC BRACES AND SURGICAL FITTINGS

By limiting patient movement, orthopedic braces and surgical fittings promote proper body alignment.
Pharmacists must undergo special training before providing an orthopedic device.
Depending on the policies of the hospital, a pharmacist may stock orthopedic braces and surgical fittings
used to promote proper body alignment.
BACK SUPPORTS
These devices are worn by patients with various spinal disorders.
CERVICAL COLLARS
Cervical collars are used to provide support or limit the range of motion of neck. These may be soft, or of
foam for a mild support and stability to neck/ Hard, or rigid cervical collar provides semi-rigid support to
neck and is used for soft-tissue damage and injuries. A Philadelphia(extrication) collar is used to
immobilize the neck and is commonly used in emergency situations.
SHOULDER IMMOBILIZERS
Shoulder immobilizers keep shoulder and arm still. They are used for separations, dislocations, and
injuries to the shoulder area.
CLAVICLE SUPPORTS
The clavicle supports (also called figure eight straps because of their appearance) as used as aids for the
reduction and stabilization of clavicle fractures.
TENNIS ELBOW
Tennis elbow applies pressure to inflammed forearm muscles to provide support and cushion to those
with tennis elbow.
WRIST BRACES
Wrist braces are used to reduce motion and to protect and stabilize wrist from sprains and strains.
ARM SLINGS
The arms slings are used to provide comfort and support during recuperation from fractures ,sprains and
surgery.
RIB BELTS
Rib belts are used to stabilize rib fractures. / Female rib belts are shaped to go under the breasts.)
ABDOMINAL SUPPORTS
Abdominal supports are used to provide abdominal support and to hold surgical dressings in place after
surgery.
KNEE BRACES
Knee braces (also called knee cages) are used for stabilization and support of knee. They may have spiral
stays, hinges, and an open or closed patella horseshoe pad.
KNEE IMMOBILIZERS
Knee immobilizers prevent any motion of the knee and are used for severe injuries or fractures.
HOME DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
THERMOMETER
A thermometer is an instrument for the measurement of body temperature. It is essential
to medical practice and should be kept in every home
Types
Standard fever thermometer
This has sealed glass constriction chamber containing liquid mercury.in response to temperature changes ,
the mercury rises or falls in a column as it expand or contracts. It will then remain at the maximal
temperature registered until it is shaken back into the reservoir at the bottom. The constriction chamber
also act as valve check, preventing the mercury from flowing back into the reservoir. Their range is about
34.45 C ( 94F) to 41.11C (106F). Graduations are in two tenths of a degree. It may be an oral
thermometer having slender reservoir and bulb and it can also be placed under the tongue and left there
for 3 minutes. Infants and children, it can also be placed under armpits. The rectal thermometer has a
blunt, Pear shaped bulb for added safety and retention.it is inserted into rectum and left there for 4
minutes. Lubricant such as petroleum jelly should be used to aid insertion. Rectal temperature is normally
1C higher than oral temperature. The security thermometer is also called a stubby thermometer, as has a
short and stubby bulb is used to take oral or rectal temperature of Child or Non-compliant patients.
The basal temperature records temperature ranging from 35.5 C (96 F) to 37.78(100F) and is used to
estimate the time of ovulation. thermometer can be placed in the mouth or rectum.
An electronic thermometers based on the heat-led fluctuation in electric current passing
through a resistor and a digital readout. The accurate and precisely measured temperature is then
displayed on display of the thermometer.
Liquid crystal thermometer strips are to be placed directly on the skin, calculating body temperature
from body surface.
Disposable thermometers are pre-sterilized and intended for single-use only. Disposable
thermometer covers are now also available which are thin, sterile plastic sheaths had ca
be placed over oral thermometers for each temperature measurement and then discarded
SELF-CARE TEST KITS
Self-care test kits are sold in pharmacies for home use. A pharmacist can furnish assistance in the area
mentioned as :

• Proper use and interpretation of outcome.

• Referral for appropriate medical follow-up if necessary
• Types of home diagnostic aids available.
The types of various diagnostic kits are mentioned below:
PREGNANCY TEST KIT
Pregnancy test kit and detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin HCG in the urine the
pharmacist must instruct the consumer about the proper instruction carefully
OVULATION TEST KIT
Theo ovulation test kit helps predict ovulation time and it is used to increase the chances of conception
this key to measure the surge of will lead to noising hormone LH that occurs before ovulation
GLUCOSE TEST KIT
Glucose test kit monitors the glucose levels of the diabetic patients. The glucose test kit contains lest strip
on to which the patients place a drop of their blood. To measure blood glucose levels, these strips change
color or are inserted into a blood glucose monitor,
which gives a more accurate result.
Urine glucose tests
The urine glucose test kit includes such products as Benedict’s solution, tablets, and usually test strips.
These tests are not as accurate as blood glucose tests and are more appropriate for stable diabetics with a
low renal threshold.
KETONE TEST KIT
The ketone test kit helps in detecting the presence of ketones in diabetic patient's urine as an indication of
glucose control.
The available blood pressure monitors include:
The mercury model
This model is the most accurate and does not require calibration. It is generally more expensive and
requires the use of a stethoscope, which could be difficult for patients with impaired dexterity or hearing.
Electronic or digital model:
These models are the easiest to operate, and they do not require a stethoscope.
COMPONENTS OF FIRST AID BOX
Heat applications
Hot-water bottles
Hot bottle is an instrument for applying dry heat. Electric heating pads is alternate of hoc: water bottles.
Made of rubber, hot-water bottle has an opening through which warm water is added and a stopper
securely sealed with a washer. Pharmacist must instruct that bare rubber should never be allowed to come
in contact with the skin, burns may result Rubber pads or a towel wrapped around the hot-water bottle
will give adequate passage of heat and comfort and convenience.
Electric heating pads
The advantages of the electric heating pad over the hot-water bottle include no possibility of leaking and
precisely control over temperature.
Moist-Heat Packs
Various commercial moist-heat packs are now in common use in hospitals and nursing Homes and are
also available for use at home. These steam packs appear as Compartmented ,cloth bags when are new
and filled with tiny beads. When boiled in water, however, the beads become hydrated and combine into a
gelatinous substance which has the unique property of holding its temperature far longer than any other
pack. about 30 to 40 minutes. Moist-heat packs should never be used directly in contact with the skin.
Cold Application
In deep inflammation the effects of external application of either heat or cold are essentially similar
Due to reflexes arising from stimulation of nerve conducting temperature sensation .However , there are
some conditions(such as appendicitis) where the application of cold is more desirable.
the application. The cold application include:
lce cap
The ice cap is a reusable instrument of application of cold. It is usually circular rubber Or Mackintosh
cloth bags circular in shape with a large opening to admit cracked ice it is usually require a cover of some
types such as a thin rubber or cloth to protect the skin

Tonsillectomy ice bag

An adaptation of ice cap is used for the throat inflammation. it is a collar shaped rubber bag and it fits
snugly around the neck holding the eyes on the parts
Redi-freeze ice pack
And these are also called cold bags which are instead of using eyes filled with glycerin or an isopropyl
alcohol water mixture these are these are refrigerated until needed and are exchanged for bags which have
become warm in use
Instant hot/cold packs
Instant hot or cold packs containing an inner packet filled with an activating fluid. When these packs are
struck firmly on skin, inner packet is broken and the activating fluid comes into contact with the base
chemical to initiate a reaction. This chemical reactions cither endothermic producing cold, or exothermic
producing heat, they maintain heat or cold for about 30 minutes, and then must be discarded, this
modality provides heat and cold therapy instantaneously in situations. Where refrigeration or heating units
are not accessible.