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Showing posts from August, 2019

NURSE - PAY CLOSE ATTENTION !

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What went wrong? The nurse on the top called Erica was assigned to a Code Blue in the ER. She did not pay attention to the WET FLOOR sign. She simply rushed off and slid and fell. Needless to say she did not make it to the code as intended. What about the needle holder? Did anyone take note  that it was full? It has become a potential danger for a needle stick.

COLONOSCOPY

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r What is a colonoscopy?         A colonoscopy is a diagnostic test that may be done for a number of reasons.               These include : colon cancer, polyps, blood in the stool and bowel irregularities.                        Prior to a colonoscopy, special preparation is required. A solution known as Golytely                       may be ordered by the doctor, for bowel cleansing. Learn more by clicking on the  link : Bowel obstruction

PROM ( PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES)

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What does PROM ( Premature Rupture of Membranes) mean? This condition which typically occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, is also called " water breaking". The amniotic sac which contains the baby, may rupture prematurely and amniotic fluid leaks out of the vagina. Read more---

ELECTROLYTES AND DEHYDRATION

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What are electrolytes? Electrolytes are basically minerals in the blood and body tissues that give the electrical charge necessary to keep the heart, kidneys and vital organs functioning well. Dehydration in a dry climate like the desert, may go unnoticed for many hours. In humid weather, sweating is obvious. This however, is not the case in a climate with low humidity, like the desert. Loss of  body fluids through sweating can be ignored until symptoms such as severe headache, muscle weakness and fatigue set in. This can cause dehydration. What is the treatment of electrolyte imbalances? The treatment will depend on the cause.  Learn more by watching the video: Electrolytes

FYI NURSES

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Dear nurses, Just to let you know that this blog is intended to improve your learning curve in the clinical setting. Always remember to follow your Institution's policies and procedures. Enjoy learning.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RISKS OF THE POSTOPERATIVE PATIENT

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Scenario : The image above is an example of a patient who had surgery  and refuses to cooperate with breathing exercises. She is now beginning to display the signs / symptoms of postoperative pneumonia. What are some of the risks of the surgical patient? The surgical patient is at risk for: hypothermia , dehydration, postoperative  pneumonia, DVT , paralytic ileus or a cardiac event.                                       In the immediate postoperative period, a patient may develop                        pneumonia if  breathing exercises  are neglected .The incentive                        spirometer is used for this purpose.The plan of care is used to                             ...

DVT PREVENTION

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What is DVT?  This is Deep Vein Thrombosis. A blood clot may form in the veins of the calf and travel to the lungs.Any patient who is confined to bed for a long time is at risk. Patient education is very important in the prevention of DVT. Are you aware of the setbacks that may result from the patient who is confined to bed, for a prolonged period of time? Here are some of the problems that may result: - Decubitus ulcers may develop and can be avoided. Repositioning, good body alignment and soft booties are ways to prevent this. The Braden scale is used for predicting pressure sores. - DVT ( Deep vein thrombosis) can be avoided by encouraging leg exercises, using TED hose or the SCD device on the patient confined to bed. WHY TPN? TPN ( Total Parenteral Nutrition) may be necessary to provide adequate nutrition for the patient who is unable to have foods orally. Please click on the links below and watch the video for more information: DVT   and  Postoperative ca...

ABOUT SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

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                                                            S ubarachnoid hemorrhage What can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage?  This may be caused by a traumatic event . Rupture of a blood vessel within the brain, causes blood to mix with cerebrospinal fluid . This added pressure within a confined space, causes an increase in the pressure in the brain. ICP Monitoring is frequently  done to reduce the pressure and subsequently decrease brain injury. Learn more by clicking on the links: Subarachnoid hemorrhage ICP Monitoring

WHAT IS ADPIE?

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THE NURSING PROCESS What is ADPIE? A-assessment D - diagnosis P - planning I - implementation E - evaluation Whether you are the nurse who works in the PACU, surgical floor , ER, or critical care , it is important to remember that your quality of nursing care will impact patient outcomes. On admission to a healthcare facility, the nursing process is carried out. Learn more by clicking on the links below: Care planning ICP for the layperson

WHAT IS PARALYTIC ILEUS?

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What is Paralytic Ileus ? A paralytic ileus is a postoperative complication. It may occur in any surgical patient  and is caused by anesthetics. What are some of the symptoms of this condition? Absent bowel sounds, abdominal pain and distention. Learn more about this topic by clicking on the link: Bowel obstruction

WHAT IS OCD ?

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Scenario: Anna loves to brush her teeth and wash her hands. Sometimes her gums may even bleed. What is OCD? OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. How is OCD treated?                Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of Psychotherapy                  which is sometimes used. This involves redirection of the thought  processes in order to stop the compulsive actions. Antidepressants can also be used. Some antidepressants which are                         approved by the FDA for treating this condition include, but are not  confined to: - Sertraline (Zoloft) - Fluoxetine (Prozac) - Paroxetine (Paxil) What are some side effects of antidepressants? Antidepressants may have side effects such as: - Gastrointestinal upset - Drowsiness Enjoy watching the video: Healthy living

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

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What is hypothermia? It is defined as a drop in core temperature of less than 95 Fahrenheit           (35 Celsius). Regardless of the cause, it is considered to be life-threatening.                     Hypothermia increases the body's demand for oxygen   and if left untreated can                           lead to a myocardial infarction ( heart attack) . Trauma resulting in excessive                blood loss,  as well as alcohol ingestion, may also lead to hypothermia. What are some of the symptoms of hypothermia? Shivering, blue lips, decrease in level of consciousness and cold extremities.

WHAT MAY BE INDICATIONS FOR ICP MONITORING?

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What are indications for ICP monitoring? Scenario : Above, a person who went skiing and sustained head trauma. This is an indication for ICP monitoring. There are many other reasons that ICP monitoring may be necessary. Subarachnoid hemorrhage which is caused by rupture of a blood vessel within the brain, causes blood to mix with  cerebrospinal fluid  . This added pressure within a confined space, causes  an increase  in the pressure in the brain. ICP Monitoring is frequently done to reduce the pressure and subsequently decrease  brain injury.          Medical abbreviations - Part 2

HEART FACTS AND THE EKG

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The image below shows two healthy people enjoying a game of tennis. Their hearts are healthy and there is no chest pain . Simple heart facts: The heart is a pump that pumps blood to all the organs around the body. Any damage to the heart muscle such as a myocardial infarction  may cause lack of blood supply and oxygen deprivation. This results in chest pain and shortness of breath. Hemodynamics  refers to blood flow.  Simple heart facts  The heart and lungs are both located in the thoracic cavity. The heart and lungs   work together. Quick read EKG What is an EKG? An EKG or Electrocardiogram, is a simple diagnostic   test used to evaluate the electrical conduction system of the heart. If someone is having chest pain and seeks medical intervention, an EKG is usually done. The EKG is noninvasive , but gives very important information about heart damage. Lab values are also done. More helpful information can be accessed by clicking on the links: Ch...

CARDIOVERSION vs DEFIBRILLATION

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What is the difference between cardioversion and defibrillation? Defibrillation is a form of electrical shock treatment used to change the heart from a life threatening cardiac rhythm. Cardioversion is a scheduled procedure to convert the heart from Atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. READ MORE ABOVE-------

ASSESSMENT OF HEMOTHORAX

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                             Hemothorax - The Clinical picture The patient in the image above, is showing signs of anxiety. The signs and symptoms shown are an indication that she is having a hemothorax. They include: -Tachypnea, tachycardia,  - cyanosis, hypotension  - a decrease in breath sounds on the affected side Chest pain may also occur, as a result of lack of oxygen. What is a hemothorax? A Hemothorax is an accumulation of blood in the pleural space. This may occur for a number of reasons. Causes include: - blunt or penetrating trauma - thoracic surgery or aneurysm - anticoagulation therapy Helpful hints: - Reassurance and assessment - vital signs, O2 SAT's and oxygen - checking lung sounds - documentation of interventions - help if needed and notify MD for orders Learn more: Cardiogenic Shock Chest X-ray is usually done to confirm diagnosis.  Chest tube insertion is done by the doctor, to...

SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT RESPIRATORY DISTRESS

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What is special about the heart and lungs? The heart and lungs depend on each other and have to work together. The heart depends on the lungs for oxygen rich blood, and the lungs depend on the heart to pump blood around the body. If the left side of the heart fails, blood will backup into the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. What are some of the causes of respiratory distress? Pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, trauma, congestive heart failure, Myocardial Infarction, and more. Regardless of the cause, poor oxygenation to the lungs results in anxiety. Breathing is compromised, and intubation, mechanical ventilation, or/and a higher level of care may be needed to improve oxygenation to the lungs and body tissues during this crucial period. Enjoy watching the video: Sessions 44- The patient on mechanical ventilation Scenario: John was admitted to the ICU with difficulty breathing .He was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. Patient and family educatio...

ICP MONITORING

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What does ICP mean? ICP means Intracranial pressure monitoring. A normal ICP reading may range from 1 - 15. How is ICP done? The neurosurgeon shaves an area of the head and cleans the skin. A device similar to a wall drill is used to get into the ventricle. A sterile catheter is placed in the ventricle and a drainage system is attached. This is called an External Ventricular Device (EVD) and works to relieve the excess fluid on the brain. Mannitol (osmotic diuretic drug) is sometimes ordered to help remove excess fluid on the brain. Pain medication , sedation, and antipyretics (to control fever ) are also ordered. Helpful Hints: - Follow MD orders - Remember to record the ICP and drainage from EVD - Brain injured patients tend to improve with adequate rest

WHAT IS ARDS?

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What is ARDS? ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome is considered to be a life threatening condition, which is manifested by extreme respiratory compromise. As fluid fills the air sacs in the lungs, air exchange becomes difficult. The oxygen saturation decreases and mechanical ventilation becomes necessary. ICU care is required. What causes ARDS? ARDS may be caused by conditions such as: pneumonia, pancreatitis and trauma. What are some symptoms of ARDS? Symptoms can include anxiety, dyspnea, decrease in oxygen saturation, and tachycardia How is ARDS diagnosed? A chest x-ray is a valuable tool in diagnosing ARDS. Enjoy the video: Sessions 44 - The patient on mechanical ventilation

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

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Why is a blood transfusion done? Blood transfusion may be ordered by the doctor for a number of reasons. These include: - Trauma (like a femur fracture) resulting in massive blood loss and leading to hypovolemic shock - Anemias, such as aplastic and iron deficiency - Thrombocytopenia and other blood disorders Please watch the video : The New Nurse - About blood transfusion .

TROUBLESHOOTING THE VENTILATOR

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What problems may develop with a patient on the ventilator? A patient on the ventilator may have problems receiving adequate oxygenation if the tubing becomes disconnected, there is water in the tubing or the cuff of the endotracheal tube is leaking. What is an AMBU bag? It is an Artificial Manual Breathing Unit. An AMBU bag is a piece of medical equipment that is used to provide oxygen during an emergency like CPR. Enjoy watching the video: The patient on mechanical ventilation

WHAT IS THE AED?

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What is the AED? The AED is an automatic external device. This handy defibrillator can be found in offices, airplanes, airports, shopping malls, churches, doctor's offices, with EMTs, the ER, schools, and more.

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?

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What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple Sclerosis is a very debilitating illness which affects the Central Nervous System. It is considered to be an autoimmune  disease and progresses over a period of time. What are some symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis? - Arm and/or leg weakness - Visual disturbances like diplopia (double vision) - Ataxia (unsteady gait) - Tremors - Fatigue Cranial nerve 2 is the optic nerve- it is responsible  for vision. Diplopia means double vision. How is Multiple Sclerosis diagnosed? An MRI can be used to reveal lesions on the brain and spinal cord. A spinal tap is another method of diagnosis. What are some treatments? Plasmapheresis is a form of treatment, along with corticosteroids. During plasmapheresis, a blood cleaning is done. Blood  plasma is separated, treated, and returned (or donor plasma may also be used). However, patients responses to the treatments may vary.

HEMODYNAMICS

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What does Hemodynamics mean? Hemodynamics refers to blood flow. The heart is a pump, which pumps blood around the body. If there is damage, like a myocardial infarction, the heart's function will be impaired. What are some signs of heart damage? Signs and symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. Things to note: A cardiopulmonary arrest can happen anywhere. In an ICU setting, trained staff members (advanced cardiac life support) are usually on hand when a "code blue" is called. Learn more about this topic by clicking on the link: The New Nurse- Hemodynamic Monitoring .
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Dear nurses, Welcome to Quiz Me Nurse. It is intended to help nurses old and new to improve their learning curve. Questions and answers will be offered. This in not a Nursing program. It has no affiliation with any Nursing program, Simply enjoy learning!

WELCOME TO QUIZ ME NURSE.BLOGSPOT.COM

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Welcome to Quizmenurse.blogspot.com. This is intended to help nurses quiz themselves on virtually any topic. It is an extension of dearnurses.blogspot.com. Hope you enjoy learning.