AVOIDING DEHYDRATION IN THE OUTDOORS

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,
I know it has been a while since my last update.Yes,
it is summer and the weather has been extremely hot. 
Dehydration can become a problem of any age group.
It is essential to drink enough water. 

Remember , your body also uses electrolytes , so try
to incorporate some fruit juices , fruits or mineral
waters to replace electrolytes. 

Please click on the links below for more information.

What are electrolytes

Hydration vs. Dehydration

Bydesign

Learn more about : ARDS, DVT and PE

Learn more : All Things food 

Enjoy learning!

God bless!

RECOGNIZING DEHYDRATION IN THE OUTDOORS

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,

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, is subtle and can be
ignored until symptoms such as severe headache, muscle 
weakness and fatigue, set in.

Updated 12/24
Please watch the video for more information:

Dehydration

KNOWING HOW TO AVOID DEHYDRATION

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Avoiding dehydration

Walking outdoors in a desert climate may lead to dehydration, if the necessary preparation is not made. Here are some helpful suggestions to help prevent dehydration.

- wearing light colored clothing that does not absorb heat

- protecting the head with a hat or cap

- avoiding walking at the hottest time of day, when the sun is high

- adequate fluids, especially ones that replace electrolytes

- making use of foods like bananas to replace potassium

- a little salt in juice, if no sports drinks available

Sorry, Dear nurses.com is no longer available.

http://www.dearnurses.com/dehydration_-_what_is_it

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AND ENJOY LEARNING NURSES

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,

It is a pleasure to keep you informed . I hope you enjoy learning
from the topics that are posted below.

God bless you all. See below.

Here are some topics of interest:

- Atrial fibrillation

- Heparin therapy

- IV therapy

- EKG reading

Enjoy watching the video:
Stress and its impact on the body

Learn more about  : Avoiding medication errors

Medical abbreviations and 

 Safe medication administration

WHEN A CODE BLUE IS CALLED

Scenario: A patient was transported to the Emergency Room 
 by paramedics, following a  911 call. He was having chest pain 
 and does have a past history of myocardial infarction.

 He was medicated according to ACLS guidelines. On arrival
 in the ER , he was alert and talking coherently. Suddenly, 
 he is barely responding and his cardiac rhythm shows third
degree AV block.

A Code Blue is called and CPR and ACLS guidelines will
be initiated. Lab values will also be done.

                When a Code Blue is called

A Code Blue in a medical facility is usually recognized
as a cardiopulmonary arrest. When this occurs, immediate
steps are taken to alert everyone who is assigned to the
code team.

The medical staff require special training in CPR and ACLS
in order to manage a Code Blue. 

ADDRESSING ABRUPTIO PLACENTA

Updated 5/24

Dear nurses,

The image above shows, Mrs.S who is about six months pregnant.
She is relaxing at home. Suddenly, she starts to have abdominal 

and back pain. She is also beginning to experience bleeding.

The placenta is a very vascular organ that develops in the

 uterus of a woman during pregnancy. It is attached to the 

fetus by the umbilical cord and provides nourishment and
oxygen to the growing fetus.

When the placenta suddenly becomes detached from the uterus,
either by trauma , or unknown cause, it is called placenta abruptio.
Heavy vaginal bleeding , abdominal cramping and signs and
symptoms of shock may be present.

Abruptio placenta requires emergency care. Placental separation 
occurs. C-section is usually done.

Nursing responsibilities for the newborn

Immediately following birth, armbands are placed 

on both mother and baby. A physical assessment is
 done and the baby's vital signs, birth weight, head,
and chest circumferences are all documented.

Reflexes in the newborn

The palmar reflex is what causes the neonate to grasp

 with the fingers, when the palm of the hand is stroked.

Rooting and sucking reflexes are present at birth.
They cause the neonate to suck.

Additional newborn facts:
- A newborn's heart rate averages between 120-160 beats per minute.
- A newborn's respirations average between 35-60 breaths per minute.
- It is important to note that a newborn's neck is short and the neck
muscles are weak. The nurse should be aware of supporting this area
carefully.

The Clinical setting Step by Step is no longer available.
Learn more, by clicking on the links below: 

Fetal heart monitoring

Hyperemesis gravidarum

PROM

RECOGNIZING DIABETES INSIPIDUS

Following Transphenoidal  surgery for a pituitary tumor, a patient may be at risk for Diabetes

Insipidus. It is important to know how to recognize and treat this condition. Enjoy watching the
video : What are electrolytes

RECOGNIZING ADULT RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

ARDS  is a life threatening condition which may be triggered
 by such conditions as trauma,  pneumonia, pancreatitis

and massive blood transfusions.

Signs and symptoms include anxiety, shortness of breath,
tachycardia and cyanosis.

Enjoy the video:The patient on mechanical ventilation

Anaphylaxis is described as an allergic response 
to a substance. It is not always possible to predict
who will develop an allergic reaction. One thing
is clear, anaphylaxis is life- threatening. It requires
immediate intervention.

The immune system may show an unexpected response
 to certain substances. This may be medication, certain 
foods, bee stings, snake bite, food preservatives, certain
animals and more.

Learn more:The Immune System

AVOIDING MEDICATION ERRORS

In the image above, Sara is new and afraid to "look stupid".
She is going to administer Potassium Chloride IM instead 
of IVPB ( IV piggy back).

A medication error can happen at anytime. Every attempt
should be taken by the nurse, to avoid it happening. if you
are uncertain,  try to ask someone else or the pharmacist.
Learn more : Common causes of medication errors 

 

Scenario 1: Lynn is a new RN. Her preceptor did not

do a good job explaining the correct way to do an 
assessment. Lynn is not aware of the mistake she
is about to make.

Learn more : Was an assessment done?

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Hi guys,

Hope you had a good week. I just wanted to say to those of you who are fathers, have a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY. God bless you all my fellow nurses and have a good week.

UNDERSTANDING CODE BLUE

Updated 8/25

The image above shows a Code blue in progress. This is 
happening in the emergency Room. Always follow your

Institution's policies and procedures for Code Blue. 

What is the role of the nurse who is assigned to the Code Blue?

The nurse has an important role in effective communication.
There are many responsibilities.

- staying calm in a chaotic situation
- giving clear instructions to coworkers
- ensuring that MD orders are conveyed correctly

- proper documentation of vital signs and all treatments /
  interventions that take place ( defibrillation for example)
  - the nurse becomes the " binding force.

Learn more about: Mechanical ventilation

Learn more about: Triage

HAVE A GOOD WEEK NURSES - ENJOY LERNING

Updated 9/25

Dear nurses,

New links and information has been added below.

Learn more about: OCD

Learn more about : The function of the adrenals

Learn more about: Pediatric facts

UNDERSTANDING HEMIANOPIA

Updated 5/24

Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step, is no longer available.

Scenario: Ann has a pituitary adenoma.
She can only see half of anything in her
visual field.

What is hemianopia?

Hemianopia is a loss of vision (blindness)
in half of the visual field. This may occur in
one or both eyes. Trauma, tumors and strokes
may cause this condition.

The image below, shows the deficits which

 could follow.Please click on the links for
 more helpful information: Brain assessment
                                               Cranial nerves

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Learn more about : Sepsis

IV INFILTRATION - WHAT CAN HAPPEN

Updated 11/25

IV therapy is commonly used in the clinical setting.

It is very important to assess and document the condition
of the IV site. 

Helpful hint: If the patient who is in your care, complains
of pain or sensitivity at the IV site, immediate steps should
be taken to carefully examine the site. 

There are drugs such as, Dilantin, Dopamine and Potassium 
that may damage the soft tissue around the IV site, if there
is an infiltration.

Learn more about: IV assessment and quiz

and The New nurse - blood transfusion

 

 Learn more about :  IV site care 

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.

NARCOTIC REACTION

As nurses, we medicate patients for Pain (Sessions 12) and *anxiety very often. Have
you ever stopped to consider that patients depending on age or situation, may react
differently to narcotics. To learn more, simply click on the link:
THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 4.
* Chapter 13

BLUNT TRAUMA AND BRAIN HERNIATION

Updated 11/25

Scenario: Timmy was having fun with his football.
He received a forceful blow to the head and a few
hours later, he seems to be "acting strange".

He was rushed to the ER.

Learn more about: Stroke and ICP monitoring

A surfer hits his head on the pier.
He sustains a TBI ( Traumatic Brain
Injury) and a Subarachnoid hemorrhage.

He was admitted to the ICU for treatment.
An EVD was placed by the doctor. Please
click on the links for more helpful information:

 Medical abbreviations - Part 2
   ICP for the layperson

Learn more about: When a family member goes to surgery

Learn more about: Defining spinal injury

WHEN A PATIENT HAS A FALL

We know as nurses that many patients are at risk for falls ( Sessions 11).

Some patients may have received medications that can result in judgement

being impaired or a physical disability that results in instability on the legs.

To find out more, simply click on the link :

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 4.