A RECIPE JUST FOR NURSES

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 still love to share a recipe someone gave to me years ago. They are my favorite cookies. Do you have a recipe to share? Would love to have it.
Here are some topics for your learning enjoyment:
Healthy Living
Holiday Cheer

Have a good week. God bless you all.

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 GOOD MEMORIAL DAY

Hi guys,

Hope you had a good week. I know our weather patterns have been atypical for this

time of year, but please have a good Memorial Day. Please try to visit:

http://www.dearnurses.net/home to enjoy more learning in the clinical setting.

God bless you all and have a good week.

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. Here are some easy answers. Simply, click on any of these links:

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, CHAPTER,3.

http://www.dearnurses.net/simplifying_maternal_nursing_part_2

Also enjoy watching the following SESSIONS Videos: Sessions 15

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 3/24

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.
please click on the link for more updated information:

Sepsis an Overview

Would you know how to recognize the early symptoms of sepsis? Here are some

clinical scenarios that will make sepsis easy to identify. Simply click on the link:

CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 3.

Also enjoy watching the following SESSIONS Videos: Sessions 10

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

Seizure activity may happen anytime, anywhere. An overview of seizures has been prepared just for you. Simply click on the link and enjoy watching the video:

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

(Sessions 15)

FOR MORE INFORMATION.

SIMPLIFYING SEIZURES

It is difficult to predict exactly when a seizure (Hyponatremia)is going to happen. However, if you know what to do when it happens, patient safety will be ensured.Treatment of the seizure, is usually directed at the cause. For example, correction of electrolyte imbalances (Chapter 1)

may be all that is needed to correct seizure activity(Simplifying Seizures).

If however the patient in your care has a history of seizures, HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS:

- follow MD orders
- Care planning and patient /family education to include seizure activity

- keep the side rails up AT ALL TIMES. Bed rails are usually padded, to prevent injury.

- a sign posted over the bed to read -SEIZURE PRECAUTIONS.

- an airway at bedside, oxygen with tubing available.

- a room close to the desk , so it is easy to see what is going on in the room.

For more information about seizures,ENJOY WATCHING THE VIDEO,

simply click on the link:

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

(SESSIONS 15, SEIZURE ACTIVITY).

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 6/24

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.

ACCURATE PAIN ASSESSMENT

How accurate is your Pain assessment ( Sessions 12) ? Did you know that a patient

who had brain surgery needs rest in addition to pain medication? Learn more,

by clicking on the link:

The Clinical Setting Step by Step, chapter2.

INSULIN REACTION

"The Clinical Setting Step by Step" has another chapter, added this week. Insulin Reaction

( Chapter 2) in the workplace can very readily happen. If you are not familiar with this problem, there is an easy way to learn. Learn more about Diabetes Mellitus and how to teach the layperson about Diabetes.

Also enjoy watch the following videos: Sessions 5 & 6

HAVE A GOOD WEEK - LEARN MORE ABOUT INSULIN REACTION

Updated 6/25

                               Learn more about:  Insulin reaction

Patient education and  diabetic misconceptions

RECOGNIZING THAT A PATIENT IN A COMA CAN HEAR

Updated 6/25

Scenario: In the image above, a young lady was
involved in a car accident, on her way to work.
A family member is concerned about her neurological 
status.

It is important to remember, that a patient in a coma
can still hear. There are stories, where patients have 
repeated all they heard.

Please watch the video: Can a comatose patient hear?

In the image above, a skiing accident has occurred.
The injured person  is admitted to the ICU. ICP
monitoring has been set up. Family members have
arrived and cannot make sense of what is happening.

The staff members have not taken the time to explain
what has taken place.

When taking care of a patient who has experienced 
a traumatic event, the nursamily what is being done
and if possible, get help from other staff members
to help with communication.e should consider how 
to explain to the patient and family.

Learn more about:  Subarachnoid hemorrhage

A NURSE'S STORY

/Updated 7/25

Dear nurses,

The above story is true and was told by a former coworker.

       Learn more about: Coma

DO YOU HAVE A MIRACULOUS STORY TO TELL

Do you have a story to tell about something miraculous that has happened in your nursing practise? Please share it with us.