Quiz me Nurse

Chest pain  may occur anywhere and anytime, even at rest. It may be related to stress or actual damage to the heart. A patient having a  heart attack , usually complains of chest pain.  What causes  chest pain? When blood flow is obstructed, oxygen deprivation to the heart muscle results. This can result in a myocardial infarction ( MI). An EKG will confirm this. What are some signs and symptoms of chest pain? Chest pain may feel like pressure, stabbing pain, an extra pair of hands squeezing, or burning. Learn more about this topic by clicking on the links: The New Nurse - Hemodynamic Monitoring and The New Nurse- Do you know your heart? Scenario: Paul had surgery on his back two days prior. He is having pain and requests medication. The nurse does  an assessment. Numerical pain scale assessment This a very useful tool when  assessing pain . It is  based on a scale of 0-10 ( 10 being the worst). A ladder starts from the ground which is the lo...

Scenario: Mr.S had a repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm done. He  will be cared for and  closely monitored  in the ICU. Responsibilities of the nurse would include: - Follow MD orders - monitoring of vital signs, urinary output - monitoring of dressing site and changes as ordered - pneumonia prevention  ( turn, cough and deep breathe) -  pain assessment and  management -  documentation  per policy - see above An aneurysm is a ballooning or bulging in a  blood  vessel. Aneurysms may occur in the brain or the abdomen  (the aorta) .   They may or may not rupture. Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity. Rupture of an aneurysm, may cause a patient to go into shock. A CT scan is used to confirm the diagnosis of an aneurysm. Ultrasound or MRI are also used to confirm the diagnosis.  Treatment of an aneurysm: Microvascular clipping of an aneurysm is generally done as a surgical procedure under anesth...

Stress is sometimes considered to be one of the greatest offenders of poor  health . It may affect the ability to enjoy a good night's rest . The immune system may also be weakened. Learn more by watching the video: The New Nurse - The Immune and Lymphatic systems.  It goes without saying that daily living, family life  and job related stress can present  challenges .  Chest pain   may occur anywhere and anytime, even at rest. It may be related to stress or actual damage to the heart.

6/25 Cirrhosis of the liver Cirrhosis of the liver is caused by scar tissue build-up on the liver, (often caused by chronic alcohol or drug ingestion). This  prevents  blood flow  to the liver and causes liver failure to occur. A  healthy  liver is normally smooth. Causes of liver failure - Viral infections (such as Hepatitis B and C) - Drug ingestion (such as Tylenol) - Cirrhosis of the liver* (which may be brought   on by chronic alcohol/drug ingestion) - Tumors Signs and symptoms of liver failure - Jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite - Fatigue, mental confusion (which may progress to a coma ) - Abdominal distention, shortness of breath - Pedal edema - Tea-colored urine - Oliguria (a decrease in urinary output) - Anuria (no urinary output) Anasarca ( generalised edema) may lead to skin breakdown . The skin has poor turgor and will require close attention. Ammonia and other toxins, may travel to the brain, via th...

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. Typically, patients who are planning to have surgery , will experience some degree of fear or anxiety . Patients may have work-related or family issues.  Fear of the surgical outcome and the impact on life in general will be major concerns. Learn more : Care planning and patient teaching Learn more about : The Nursing Process Reassurance and explaining procedures to patient and family will help to alleviate fear and anxiety. The plan of care should also address patient and family concerns.  Some patients may require medication to help relieve anxiety (the doctor will determine this need). Learn more by watching the video: Nursing Communication

What are the special  considerations given to a patient on a ventilator? When a patient has been placed on ventilator support, it is not possible to communicate with speech. Some patients who are awake and alert may be able to point at a pain scale chart. If this is not possible, pay attention to signs such as: heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, and agitation. How does the nurse know when the patient on a ventilator is in pain? The patient on a mechanical ventilator is unable to speak because there is an endotracheal tube in the airway. Signs of pain may manifest by: agitation, pressure alarms on the ventilator going off, rapid heart rate and more. How is pain assessed? Pain is assessed by using a scale of 1-10, ten being the worst. Common scale ratings are as follows: 0: No pain 1-3: Mild pain 4-6: Moderate pain 7-10: Severe pain You should always follow your institution's policy regarding pain scales. Learn more----- For more informatio...