Dear Nurses

Saturday, April 28, 2007

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS IN A COMA

It is important to be very careful what we say over the patient in a coma.
When some comatose patients(Sessions 3) finally awaken, they have been
known to repeat what they have been listening to.



For more helpful information on assessment and managemnt of the neurological patient,

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS IN A COMA




Hi all,
Hope you had a good week. Have you ever taken care of a patient in a coma ? Do you believe this patient has no idea what is going on? Think again. Patients can hear what you are saying.

I have had more than one experience where someone who has been in a coma has come back to relate all that has been said. So, CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY AND WHERE YOU SAY IT.
Enjoy learning more about the Neurological Patient.
or watching the video :
(Sessions 3)


WHAT IS A NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKADE

A neuromuscular blockade includes such drugs as Pavulon, Vecuronium, Nimbex and Anectine.To learn more about the use of neuromuscular blockades, simply click on the link:
http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step
and enjoy reading Adult Respiratory Distress syndrome, Chapter5.

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT HAD AN NMB ORDER

Hi all,

Hope you had a good week.
Would you know what a Neuromuscular blockade (SESSIONS 13)
is used for, if your patient had it ordered?
Here are some helpful hints :
- Follow MD orders
Neuroblockades are paralysing agents. They are typically used in the Critical care setting or in OR. Patients who have traumatic injuries and require ventilatory support for lung problems such as ARDS may require NMB. When patients are put to sleep in the OR, NMBs are used. They cause paralysis of all the muscles in the body.
-They should NEVER be given without VENTILATORY SUPPORT.
- patients need monitoring if neuromuscular blockades are being used.
- SEDATION should always accompany the use of NMB drugs.
Patients who are given NMBs without sedation have related terrible experiences. Some felt like
they were buried alive.
For more updated information on this topisc, simply click on the link:
and enjoy reading topics such as Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome(Chapter5).

Friday, April 20, 2007

REST IS BEST FOR THE NEUROLOGICAL PATIENT


It has been suggested, after years of experience, that for the neurological patient,
too much stimulation demands more oxygen and may result in secondary injury.
 For more helpful information, please click on the link
http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step
and enjoy reading, Pain Assessment, chapter2.

You may also enjoy watching the video:
( Sessions 12)

WHAT IS A BRAIN HEMORRHAGE?


Brain hemorrhage may be caused by a number of reasons,
these include but are not confined to:
 - Stroke (hemorrhagic)
 - Trauma
For more information click on the links:
The Stroke Patient
and
http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions



EPIDURAL BLEEDING


Tim was on a ladder at work.He lost his balance and fell to the ground.
He has an EPIDURAL BLEED of the meningeal artery. He had a brief period
of consciousness, became lucid, then became lethargic.
For more updated and helpful information, click on the link:

WHAT IF PATIENT HAS A BLEED INTO THE BRAIN?


IF YOUR PATIENT HAS A BLEED, HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS:
- follow MD orders.
- closely monitor neuro status and document.
- monitor for possible seizure activity.
- monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation(chp 5).
- medicate for pain and document results. Encourage patient to rest , as this will decrease the need for lots of pain meds. REMEMBER too much pain meds, may mask any changes in neuro status.
- educate family members about the need for rest , as this will decrease the need for too much pain meds and prevent secondary injury. Demands for oxygen to an already injured brain may be increased by too much stimulation.

FOR MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC, JUST CLICK ON THE LINK:
http://www.dearnurses.com/ AND ENJOY THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
STROKE SERIES -ASSESSMENT IN THE CLINICAL SETTING AND

EPIDURAL OR SUBDURAL BLEEDING




Epidural bleeding occurs above the dura mater, which is the outermost covering of the brain. As blood collects, a hematoma forms. Subdural bleeding occurs under the dura mater and blood collects, forming a hematoma.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BRAIN INJURY, CLICK ON THE

EPIDURAL VS. SUBDURAL BLEED




Hi guys,

Hope you had a good week. Would you know how to distinguish between an epidural or a subdural bleed ?
An epidural bleed is an arterial bleed. The patient has a brief period of unconsciousness following injury. He then becomes lucid and quickly progresses to unconsciousness and possible coma. A common site for injury is the meningeal artery which runs close to the surface, behind the ear.
A subdural bleed is venous and progresses slowly. The patient may not experience any symptoms for a few days. It may even become chronic. Suspect a subdural bleed if the patient had a fall /head injury and was initally okay and later becomes unconscious. It is common in alcoholics.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS:

Friday, April 13, 2007

E- COLI CASE



E-Coli is a strain of bacteria that lives in the bowel. When it gets into food, gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may develop. Please read below for more information on E-Coli. Or, you may just want to learn more about The Clinical Setting
Enjoy reading.
What if your patient had e-coli?

Also enjoy watching Sessions 38
http://www.dearnurses.com/sessions_-_clinical_videos_page_2

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT HAD E-COLI?


Hi guys,

Hope you had a good Easter. This last week in Orange County, California, there was an E-coli scare at a salad bar. There is still doubt how this all got started. Several customers reported food poisoning and I guess some hospitalization was involved. WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS ADMITTED WITH E- COLI , WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT IT REALLY MEANS?
E-coli is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines. If it gets into food, it can cause gastro-intestinal symptoms.Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, dehydration from excessive fluid loss are signs and symptoms. If your patient has a diagnosis of E-coli infection , here are some helpful hints :
- follow MD orders.
- careful handwashing and disposal of linen etc. Avoid putting linens on the floor, especially if they are soiled.
- monitor and document the frequency of BMs , color and quantity.
- document quantity, color and frequency of emesis .
- monitor vital signs ; a drop in blood pressure and a rapid pulse are signs of dehydration.
For more helpful Clinical information , simply click on the link:
and enjoy reading.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL NURSES


Friday, April 06, 2007

MR.O IS TRANSFERRED TO ICU

For helpful information on EKG reading, simply click on the link:
http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_what_is_wrong_with_this_ekg
and enjoy learning.
SEE BELOW FOR THE FOLLOW UP OF MR. O'S STATUS

MR. O HAS A BOUT OF V-TACH

To learn more about the patient in Ventricular Tachycardia, simply click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_what_is_wrong_with_this_ekg
and enjoy reading.

WHAT IF THIS IS DISPLAYED

Would you know what to do, if the monitor displayed the above rhythms? Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation are both rhythms that require immediate intervention. to learn more, simply click on the link:
http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_what_is_wrong_with_this_ekg
and enjoy learning.

WHAT IF IT IS V-TACH OR V-FIB

Ventricular Tachycardia is a lethal rhythm.Quick action is necessary. To learn more about this topic and how to intervene, simply click on the link:
http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_what_is_wrong_with_this_ekg
and enjoy learning.

UNDERSTANDING V-TACH

If the patient in your care develops Ventricular Tachycardia would you know what to do? To learn more about this and many more rhythms, simply click on the link:
http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_what_is_wrong_with_this_ekg
and enjoy learning.

WHAT IF YOU SEE VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA


Ventricular tachycardia may or may not have a pulse. Ventricular fibrillation does not have a pulse. Both rhythms require immediate treatment.
IF YOU SHOULD BE FLOATED TO A MONITORED UNIT AND YOUR PATIENT DISPLAYS
ANY OF THE ABOVE RHYTHMS, DO NOT PANIC! TAKE QUICK ACTION.
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS:
- Assess your patient at once
- if there is no response , press the code button and start CPR .
To learn more about this lethal rhythm, simply click on the links:
and