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?

What is an aneurysm? 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. How is an aneurysm diagnosed? A CT scan is used to confirm the diagnosis of an aneurysm. Ultrasound or MRI are also  used to confirm the diagnosis.  What types of treatment are available for aneurysms ? Treatment of an aneurysm: Microvascular clipping of an aneurysm is generally done as a surgical procedure under anesthesia. A small clip is put in place to block the flow of blood through the aneurysm. Learn more: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endovascular embolization is a less invasive form of treatment for an aneurysm before it ruptures. Platinum coils are threaded through a catheter in the groin, and the aneurysm is filled with these coils until the flow of blood is stopped. This may be done in the X-Ray department under ...

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 he video: The New Nurse - The Immune and Lymphatic systems.

What are some of the causes of hepatic 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 What is cirrhosis of the liver? Cirrhosis of the liver is caused by scar tissue build-up on the liver (often caused by chronic alcohol/drug ingestion) which prevents blood flow to the liver and causes liver failure to occur. A healthy liver is normally smooth. What are some of the symptoms? - 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) A patient in liver failure may be most comfortable in the Semi-Fowlers position. The skin has poor turgor and will require close attention. Enjoy watching the video: The New Nurse and or...

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. What are some of the concerns of the patient who is going to have surgery? 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 What can the nurse do to help? 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 videos: The New Nurse -Communication Skills - Parts 1and 2

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...