A RECIPE JUST FOR NURSES

Updated 7/25

Dear nurses,

I know you probably have a busy life , but I know
some of you have families or just love to cook.
I love home cooking. I do not have as much time
on my hands as I would like to, but I would like
to share a special recipe. It is delicious!

They are my favorite cookies. 
Here are some topics for your learning enjoyment:
Healthy living
Holiday Cheer

Have a good week. God bless you all.

Learn more about: The Salt Story

Learn more about : Breakfast on a plate

NURSES PATIENT EDUCATION IS A MUST

Dear nurses,

Updated 9/23

Patient education is a must. A patient who
is kept informed will exhibit less anxiety
and most likely, cooperate with the plan
of care. 

It is difficult for the patient and family
being in an unfamiliar environment.
Addressing their concerns will make
the general state of things easier.

Just click on the links below:

Care planning for nurses

Learning for the layperson

Enjoy learning!

Learn more about: Care planning

Learn more about : Sepsis

Learn more about : ARDS

CARE PLANNING FOR NURSES

Updated 9/24

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Care planning should be an essential tool in the clinical setting. Knowing how to target
the problem and needs of a patient can sometimes be challenging. Learn more about
Nursing Communication.

HAVE A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY

Updated 8/25

Dear nurses,

New topics have been added below.

Have a good Memorial Day!

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

Learn more about: Aortic Rupture

Learn more about:

Dehydration on a long flight
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

PREVENTING DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can be prevented if the nurse knows how to manage the patient confined to bed. Patient education and good patient care can help prevent this problem. To find out more, click on the link:

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, CHAPTER,3.

and enjoy learning.

IDENTIFYING RENAL FAILURE

Updated 6/25

Renal failure may occur at any age and may be
acute or chronic.The course of treatment will
depend on the circumstances.

 

To learn more, simply click on the link:
Anasarca and renal failure

Scenario 1: Mrs. S is a 38 year old female who has
 just been diagnosed with renal failure.

Learn more about: 
The kidneys

RECOGNIZING AND TREATING PREECLAMPSIA

Preeclampsia occurs in about 8% of pregnant women.
 The consequences , if left untreated can be fatal. 

Magnesium Sulfate which is used in the treatment
may have serious side effects. Knowing what to look
for is the key. 

Also learn about : Electrolyte imbalances

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

PREVENTING POST-OPERATIVE PNEUMONIA

 Updated 2/24

 Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.

Postoperative pneumonia should be prevented at all costs.

It delays the healing process. Fevers, chills, generally feeling
weak, pleuritic pain , a decrease in breath sounds and oxygen 
saturation are some of the symptoms of pneumonia.

Please click on the links for more updated information:

Postoperative pneumonia

ARDS

What is a tracheostomy?

A tracheostomy is a small tube which is placed  in the trachea,
under sterile conditions. It has an inner cannula which is removed
at the time of insertion. In most cases, it is inserted after a patient
has been intubated.

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 3.

No longer available.

IDENTIFYING SEPSIS

Dear nurses,

Updated 12/25

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.
New topics and links have been added below.

Sepsis an Overview

 

   Learn more about : Sepsis

The surgical patient is at risk for infection, related to
  surgical intervention.

- Paralytic ileus may occur .

- Hypothermia due to fluid loss and bodily exposure
  during surgery. Hypothermia increases the body's need
  for oxygen and possibly may lead to a cardiac event.

 Warming measures are necessary.

Scenario: A patient was involved in a car accident. 

Trauma to the chest area, has resulted in a pneumothorax.

Learn more about: Pneumothorax

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

Hi guys,

Nurses work with the sick and at some time or other, face a death or near death situation. Have you ever been exposed to a situation where a patient expresses fear and hostility before dying or is happy at the last moment? Have you had a patient tell you about the bright lights or the dark tunnel? Please share your experience with us.

You may also enjoy watching this video: SESSIONS 3

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

Dear nurses,

Hope you have a good week. Nurses have a very special job to do, caring for the sick. It is important to stay well-informed. God bless you all.

SIMPLIFYING SEIZURES

Updated 9/25

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

What is a seizure?

A seizure is considered to be a sudden outburst of
uncontrollable electrical activity from the neurons
in the brain.

Learn more about: Seizures

Learn more about: Care planning

Learn more about: Why Therapy and The Aging Process

SIMPLIFYING SEIZURES

Updated 11/25

Scenario: Chuck is a 34 year old male who was
admitted to the hospital for brain tumor resection.

He is suddenly having a  seizure.

What is a seizure?

A seizure is considered to be a sudden outburst of
uncontrollable electrical activity from the neurons
in the brain.

His lab values reveal hyponatremia ( low sodium).

Seizures may occur in the patient with hyponatremia.

Chuck's sodium was corrected with a doctor's order
of Normal Saline 3%.

It is difficult to predict exactly when a seizure may
occur. Learn more about: Seizures and safety

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Learn more about : Stroke and ICP Monitoring

The plan of care should reflect how to maintain a 
safe environment and prevent any harm.

 Learn more about: Care planning

Learn more : Understanding Meningitis

CARDIOGENIC SHOCK CASE STUDY

Updated 3/25

Dear nurses,

This case study is no longer available. 

Please click on the links: 

Cardiogenic shock and quiz questions

Diagnostic tests ( Part 3)

for updated information.

Learn more about: IV SITE ASSESSMENT

Learn more about:

The consequences of poor circulation

EKG READING MADE EASY

Updated 6/25

Have you ever tried learning to read an EKG? 
 Do you feel like you are getting nowhere?

Simply click on the link:

Sessions 16,17 and 18

and enjoy learning.

Scenario: In the image above, Joe who has a history
of diabetes mellitus , is getting ready for work, when
he suddenly develops severe chest pain.

Learn more , by clicking on the link:
Ischemia vs. infarction

Scenario: Mrs. R is a 48 year-old female who has a
history of a previous myocardial infarction. She was
admitted 2 days ago with mild chest pain. 

Learn more, by clicking on the link below :

Cardiogenic shock assessment

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Would you know what to look for, if your patient was in Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure may be caused by heart disease or myocardial infarction.
These are only some of the causes. Typically the patient in CHF shows a clinical
picture of anxiety and difficulty breathing, as the heart is unable to pump blood 
around the body. Fluid backs up into the lungs and breathing becomes 
increasingly difficult.
To learn more, simply click on the link:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step

(Chapter 2). Enjoy learning!

 

TRAUMA CARE

     Updated 6/24                                         Trauma care

Scenario: The patient in the image above, has fallen from a roof top while at work.

He lives in a rural area, where there is no Trauma 1 care available. He will be airlifted 

to a Level 1 facility.

Trained medical staff is using Resuscitative efforts to transport him.

Scenario: Nick is a 21 year old male who was
on his way to work, when he became involved
in a head on collision.

Nick is transferred to a Level 1 Trauma center by
paramedics.
Please click on the link below for the continuation
of this case study:
Nick is in the ICU

Scenario: Mark sustained a traumatic brain injury while surfing.
He had an EVD ( external ventricular device) inserted and ICP
monitoring ordered by the doctor.

Learn more about : Care planning

STROKE SYMPTOMS

Updated 8/25

Scenario: Mrs. had clipping of a brain aneurysm  done
5 days ago.Last night, she  transferred to the Surgical
floor from the ICU.

She had no neurological deficits, until now. She tries to
use the phone and notices her right arm is weak and her
 speech is garbled.

Learn more about: Understanding Stroke

Learn more about: ICP Monitoring

ADDRESSING PAIN ASSESSMENT

Updated 8/25

Dear nurses,

As we all know, pain is a common complaint.
It is important to recognize the cause, source
and to do an assessment on a scale of 1-10.

Pain medication is given to the patient complaining
of pain. Medication is usually ordered by the doctor.
The MAR is used for each patient.

Documentation of the pain medication given, the
pain scales from start to finish and the outcomes
of all medication, is also important.

Below are some scenarios associated with pain.

Learn more about: Aortic rupture

PACU

The nurse above is about to make a medication error.
This is very poor judgement on her part.

Here are some helpful pointers for good medication administration:
- Follow MD orders

- Remember the five or more rights
- DO NOT USE COLOR CODING AS YOUR ONLY GUIDELINE.
Remember, many pills may have the same color, but that does not
mean they are of equal strength.
- If you are a new nurse and you are uncertain, consult with a more
 experienced nurse to help you out.

- Always follow your Institution's policies and procedures.

The Numerical Pain Scale is a useful tool when
assessing pain. It is based on a scale of 0-10.
A ladder starts from the ground and escalates to
the highest point, so does pain start from 0-10.

Learn more about: Chest pain assessment and

Triage Nurse