ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT EKG READING AND CHEST PAIN

Updated 5/26

Dear nurses,

New information and links have been added below.

Patient assessment is a very important tool. 
The patient having chest pain, would have 

an assessment done by the nurse.

A description of the pain, as well as pain
scales assessment ( 1-10) is usually done.

Documentation of intervention is also 
necessary. 

Below are more assessment links:
 Neurological assessment
Abdominal assessment 

Stroke assessment

         Heart and lungs work together.

Learn about : the ABG and Code Blue

   The Nursing Process

Using decimals

Safe medication administration

Pharmacology for nurses

WHAT IF YOU HAD TO REPLACE ELECTROLYTES

ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT IS NOT A GUESSING GAME .IMPROPER ADMINISTRATION MAY BE FATAL .

FOR HELPFUL CLINICAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step chap 16

also enjoy watching the Sessions 24 Clinical videos for nurses.

ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT

Elderly people are more prone to dehydration. 
This mrange from mild to severe, depending on the situation.Some elderly people live alone and may tend to neglect
taking adequate fluids. Fluid and electrolyte replacement
are beneficial when combating dehydration.
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

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS HAVING A STROKE?

Updated 2/26

Learn more about: Cardioversion

Heparin is an anticoagulant drug. It is used

to prevent the formation of blood clots. It is
important to know what to look for, if the
patient  in your care is on anticoagulation
therapy. Learn more:

Heparin and its uses

    Learn more about : ARDS, DVT and PE

Here are some diagnostic tests that are done frequently.

Follow the links below:

1. Chest X ray
2. CAT scan
3. EKG
4. MRI scan
5. Ultrasound
6. Echocardiogram

   The Nursing Process

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS HAVING A STROKE?

Updated 2/26

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.
New information has been added below.

                           

    Atrial fibrillation is a rapid , irregular arrhythmia.
    It is caused by the atria ( upper heart chambers)
    beating rapidly and out of character. There is no P

    wave on the EKG. This topic continues : Here

Scenario: The patient above, had surgery three days ago.
He is on anticoagulation therapy (Heparin) for DVT. 
Anticoagulants are blood thinners. Their purpose is to
 prevent blood from clotting too easily. 

 Patients with atrial fibrillation may be placed on
 anticoagulation therapy.

This topic continues : Here

Scenario: In the image above, Ann is an opera
singer. While on stage, she suddenly starts having
trouble getting her words out. Her right arm also
feels weak. These symptoms are classic of someone
experiencing a stroke. This topic continues : Here

WHAT IF A CLOT TRAVELS TO THE BRAIN

Scenario: In the image above, Ann is an opera
singer. While on stage, she suddenly starts having
trouble getting her words out. Her right arm also
feels weak. These symptoms are classic of someone
experiencing a stroke.

Signs and stroke symptoms:

- sudden , severe headache
- slurred speech, mental confusion

- nausea and vomiting

- visual disturbances, hearing loss

- facial weakness

- weakness in arm or leg on one side

A CAT scan or MRI or both may be done to 
confirm diagnosis.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ?

If you have difficulty understanding how to read an EKG. New information is 
available. EKG SERIES is no longer available.

EKG SERIES -WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS EKG.

UNDERSTANDING EKG WAVES

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.  

Updated 5/24

Dear Nurses,

Learning to read an EKG can be easier than you think.
You do  not have to be intimidated by those waves!
Also, learn more about Atrial fibrillation.

Here are some diagnostic tests that are done frequently.

Follow the links below:

1. Chest X ray
2. CAT scan
3. EKG
4. MRI scan
5. Ultrasound
6. Echocardiogram

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION / ATRIAL FLUTTER

Atrial fibrillation is a rapid , irregular arrhythmia.
 It is caused by the atria (upper heart chambers)
beating rapidly and out of character. There is no P

 wave on the EKG. This topic continues : Here

Scenario: The patient above, had surgery three days ago.
He is on anticoagulation therapy (Heparin) for DVT. 
Anticoagulants are blood thinners. Their purpose is to
 prevent blood from clotting too easily. 

 Patients with atrial fibrillation may be placed on
 anticoagulation therapy.

This topic continues : Here

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS IN ATRIAL FIB ?

 Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Updated 2 /26

Cardioversion is a form of shock treatment sometimes

 used for Atrial Fibrillation. It is used to change the heart
 rhythm from Atrial fibrillation to a normal rhythm( sinus rhythm). 

The shock is done on the R wave of the EKG. Typically, it is not
an emergency.

Defibrillation is a form of shock treatment used for
Ventricular fibrillation.This is a life threatening rhythm 

and the shock is done as an emergency.There is usually 

no pulse and the patient is unresponsive.

To learn more about this topic, simply click on the links below:

Chest pain assessment and quiz

and Sessions 18

        

 Heart and lungs work together.

Scenario : In the image a waitress is busy at work. 
She suddenly develops stroke symptoms. 

What is a stroke?

A stroke is also known as a brain attack. It may be hemorrhagic

( caused by bleeding) or ischemic ( embolic), caused by a clot 
or plaque.

Can a stroke be prevented?

It is suggested that a stroke can be prevented. People who
smoke frequently, eat a diet rich in cholesterol foods and
do not exercise regularly, are considered to be at risk.

High blood pressure and obesity also puts someone at risk.
Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, eating a diet with
fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as high fiber may help to
reduce stroke risk.

 

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT HAS CHEST PAIN ?

Updated 2/26

Dear nurses,

New topics and links have been added below.

Chest pain may be the warning sign of a heart attack!

Learn more about : Chest pain assessment

Learn more about: The Circulatory System

Poor circulation may occur for a number of reasons.
The patient in heart failure, is at risk for stroke.

Myocardial infarction

A MI (myocardial infarction ) is also known as a heart
attack. It results from obstruction to blood flow. Fatty
deposits may cause this. 

Death of the heart muscle surrounding the obstructed
blood vessel will result. Symptoms such as lack of oxygen,
shortness of breath and chest pain will occur.

Diabetic Retinopathy

 This condition affects the blood vessels in the eye.
 Poor vision and possible blindness may result from
 leaking and weakening of the blood vessels.

The consequences of poor circulation

The patient who has heart failure,
is also at risk for stroke or renal failure.
The diabetic patient is also at risk for stroke.

THE WHAT IF SERIES ( CHEST PAIN )

Dear nurses,
Did you know that chest pain may be a symptom of a cardiac event.
It may be stabbing, it may be sharp, squeezing, it may radiate to the
jaws and shoulders.
Learn more about chest pain assessment:
http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions
and
http://www.dearnurses.com/chest_pain_series_-_master_your_clinical

EKG WAVES

Updated 5/26

  Learn more about this topic by watching the video:

The new nurse - Easy read EKG

Myocardial infarction - Nursing assessment

Learn more about: Mitral valve regurgitation

Watch the videos: Hemoynamic monitoring

CHF/ Cardiogenic Shock

The image above, gives an indication of what 
happens to the patient in Congestive heart failure.

Causes include : Hypertension, myocardial infarction,
cardiomyopathy are some examples. See above image.

UNDERSTANDING EKG READING

Dear Nurses,
Did  you know these simple facts about heart. It is a pump which
pumps blood all around the body. The heart has 4 chambers.
There are 2 upper and 2 lower.

It has an electrical system which works to stimulate contraction
of its chambers. The EKG reflects normal or abnormal function
of the electrical system

FOR MORE INORMATION ON EKG READING,
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK:
http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_what_is_wrong_with_this_ekg.

THE" WHAT IF "SERIES

Updated 3/26

Dear nurses,

The " What if series" is no longer available. 
This has been replaced with:

Quizmenurse and 

Bydesign

There are clinical examples below.

Learn more about: Exercise

Clinical scenarios are a normal part of nursing.

Above there are five clinical scenarios unfolding.

Scenario 1- A patient who is admittCed to a healthcare

facility and will need teaching. Click on the link:

ER experience for the layperson

Scenario 2- The patient on mechanical ventilation
and the nurse is unsure what to do.Click on the link:

  The patient on mechanical ventilation

Scenario 3 -A patient has arrived in the Emergency
Room, both the doctor and nurse are at the bedside
to do an assessment. Learn more by clicking on the link:

An ER experience
 

Scenario 4 - A nurse does an assessment. Click on the links:

IV assessment
An arterial line

Scenario 5 - A nurse tries to encourage a patient to
do breathing exercises. Click on the link:

Care planning

Here are some diagnostic tests that are done frequently.

Follow the links below:

1. Chest X ray
2. CAT scan
3. EKG
4. MRI scan
5. Ultrasound
6. Echocardiogram

   The Nursing Process

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS ON A HEPARIN DRIP

Dear Nurses 

Updated 4/24

More updated information on this topic , can be accessed
by clicking on the links: 

Heparin Therapy

DVT prevention

A patient on a blood thinner such as Heparin may have
bleeding from the gums, from the dressing site, in the
urine and more.

      Learn more: IV site care

ALLERGIC REACTION (BLOOD TRANSFUSION)

Updated 6/26

In the image above, a patient is having 
a blood transfusion reaction. Warning
signs are outlined above.The nurse takes

quick action.

An allergic reaction is usually unpredictable.

It should always be taken into consideration,
even when MD orders, cross-matching and 
Institution policies have been done correctly.

To learn more, simply click on the link:

New Nurse - Blood transfusion and enjoy

learning.

Hypovolemic Shock is a life threatening emergency.
Trauma patients commonly experience Hypovolemic Shock.
Quick management and replacement of the fluid loss brings
about good results. 

 The New Nurse- Blood transfusion

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

Learn more about : Anticoagulation Therapy and

Enjoy the video: Anticoagulation therapy

Learn more about: The Circulatory System

Learn more about : Organizational skills

Learn more about: Sepsis