Can You Take Care of Yourself?

Do you have the necessary supplies on hand to take care of your general daily health and minor emergency medical care needs? Take this quiz to determine how prepared you are to take care of your personal health needs. Place a check in the box next to each item you currently keep on hand in your residence. Then read the answer key to find out if you have the items a wise healthcare consumer needs. (Not all of the ingredients listed below are needed by the average consumer.)

1. sunscreen having an SPF of 8-10
2. over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant
3. blood pressure monitor
4. Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen
5. gauze bandages and adhesive tape
6. baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
7. OTC cold medications
8. hydrogen peroxide
9. rubbing alcohol
10. syrup of ipecac
11. laxative tablets
12. antibiotics
13. mercurochrome
14. thermometer
15. calamine lotion
16. elastic bandages
17. cold pack
18. Imodium (antidiarrheal medication)

Answers:

1. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 if you want reasonable protection. An SPF that is evne higher might be warranted for especially fair-skinned persons.
2. OTC decongestants can relieve some cold symptoms, such as stuffy nose, if taken according to the instructions.
3. A blood pressure monitor is probably not worth stocking due to the expense and need for calibration checks. If your blood pressure needs regular checking, have it done professionally.
4. Use these analgesics for relief of mild pain, including headaches. Aspirin and acetaminophen also provide relief from mild fever. Aspirin and ibuprofen are especially useful in treating inflammation.
5. Gauze bandages and adhesive tape are especially useful for large cuts that require control of bleeding or protection.
6. Baking soda is an inexpensive antacid with mixed with water. It should be used cautiously by people with hypertension because of its high sodium content.
7. Some OTC cold medications may contain substances incompatible with other drugs you may take, or they may produce undesirable side effects. Consult a physician before using them.
8. Hydrogen peroxide is a good, inexpensive antiseptic for cleaning minor cuts and scrapes.
9. Rubbing alcohol provides sterilizing capability but should be used according to the instructions on the label.
10. Syrup of ipecac can be used to induce vomiting after poisoning, but only after calling the poison control center. Vomiting is not the treatment of choice for all ingested poisons. The nearest poison control center telephone number is listed in your telephone directory. To be prepared for an emergency, it is best to post this number next to your telephone.
11. A better choice to treat constipation would be to increase your dietary fiber.
12. Never keep prescription antibiotics "on hand." Use prescription antibiotics according to instructions from the physician or pharmacist. Discard unused medication when the original purpose for it no longer applies. OTC antibiotic ointment or cream can be stored for use on small cuts and scrapes to prevent infection.
13. Mercurochrome is not necessary. Hydrogen peroxide is a less expensive and better product for cleaning minor cuts and scrapes.
14. Keep a rectal thermometer on hand for children under the age of five, and an oral thermometer for others.
15. Calamine lotion is a good product to use to relieve minor, temporary itching from poison ivy, insect bites, sunburn, and minor forms of dermatitis.
16. Elastic bandages (sometimes called Ace Bandages) are useful for treating sprains.
17. A commercial cold pack can be used to control swelling and bruising due to minor injuries. Ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrapped in a towel, can be used as well.
18. Antidiarrheal medication, such as Imodium, successfully controls diarrhea and cramping when used as directed. If symptoms persist a physician should be contacted.