UNDERSTANDING RESPIRATORY CARE

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

Learn more about : Mechanical ventilation

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:

Dehydration on a long flight
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR RESPIRATORY CARE

Updated 8/25

Learn more about : Mechanical ventilation

Learn more about: The patient in Cardiogenic Shock

Learn more about : Pneumothorax

IDENTIFYING RESPIRATORY DISTRESS

Updated 7/25

The heart and lungs depend on each other and have
to work together. The heart depends on the lungs
 for oxygen rich blood, and the lungs depend on
the heart to pump blood around the body. 

If the left side of the heart fails, blood will backup
 into the lungs, causing difficulty breathing.

Causes of respiratory distress include :
- Pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, trauma,
- Congestive heart failure, 
- Myocardial Infarction, and more.

Regardless of the cause, poor oxygenation to the lungs
results in anxiety. Breathing is compromised, and intubation,
mechanical ventilation, or/and a higher level of care may be 
needed to improve oxygenation to the lungs and body tissues,
during this crucial period.

Enjoy watching the videos:

Sessions 44- The patient on mechanical ventilation

Nursing Fundamentals

Learn more about: Heart facts and the EKG

 

WHAT IF YOUR PATIENT IS ON VENTILATORY SUPPORT

1/25

Scenario: The patient in the image above, is on
mechanical ventilation.The ventilator alarms keep
going off. It is obvious that something is wrong.

The nurse did not take time to troubleshoot
 the problem and walks away. Please watch
 the videos by clicking on the links below:

Mechanical Ventilation

Nursing Communication

Enjoy learning about Diabetic facts for the layperson

THE EMERGENCY ROOM

Clinical scenarios

Above are clinical scenarios that each tell their own story.
Just click on the link above for more helpful information.

Updated 1/25

                                                           Eye injury

An eye injury may occur at anytime and anywhere,
sometimes in the workplace. It is important to recognize
that quick intervention is of paramount importance.

Helpful hints:

Always lift try to lift large objects away from the eyes.
If something splashes in the eye, washing it out of the eye and
seeking medical treatment may be necessary.

Hyphema - Blood in the anterior chamber of the eye caused by
blunt trauma.(See image).

                                                             

                                                                    Spinal injury

Scenario: Jim had a few extra drinks to celebrate his birthday.
He dives into the shallow end of the pool. Unfortunately, he will
have to be taken to the Emergency Room for further treatment.

                                Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care

Recently there have been changes in the way emergencies
are handled. Some situations are minor and do not need
        a high level of care. Triage is very important in distinguishing
how to filter patients to the right facility.

Minor cuts, bruises, infection and less severe pain may be treated in 

an Urgent Care. More severe conditions like burns, head and spinal 
trauma, stroke symptoms and a cardiac event may require a higher
level of care like an Emergency Room.

BROKEN WRIST (WRIST FRACTURE)

Updated 1/25

Scenario: Sara's picnic has been ruined. She and
injured her wrist. She is taken to the Emergency 
Room for evaluation and treatment.

A broken wrist occurs frequently. Swelling,
pain, discoloration and distortion at site, are
signs of a broken wrist. Muscles and bones

Surgical intervention may not be necessary.
A plaster cast is usually done. Local anesthesia,
sedation and analgesia may be ordered by the
doctor for the procedure.

  Organizational skills in the clinical setting is of paramount importance.
                                      

FEBRILE SEIZURES

Hi guys,

Did you know that a high fever in a small child, can lead to seizures? To learn more, just click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.net/home.

You may also enjoy watching the video:

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

( Sessions 15, SEIZURE ACTIVITY).

THE ROLE OF THE TRIAGE NURSE

Hi guys,

If you have never worked in an Emergency Room, it would be difficult to
understand the role of the Triage Nurse. Please click on the link and learn
more about this topic:
The New Nurse- Triage and the ER
Enjoy learning!
Updated 4 / 23

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

New topics have been added below, to help you 
learn more!

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

A PREVIEW OF EMERGENCY ROOM CARE

Not every nurse has ever experienced working in an Emergency Room. Next week , Chapter7 of THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, will focus on what a shift in the ER would be like.

Topics include:

The Golden Hour

Role of the Triage Nurse

Patient with Chest Pain/Shortness of Breath

Febrile Child (Febrile Seizures)

Preterm Labor

Wrist Fracture

Injured Eye

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos.

INFECTION CONTROL IS A MUST

Updated 7/25

Learn more about: Infection control

Above are examples of how to prevent the spread of infection.

Learn more about: IV site assessment and care

HAVE A HAPPY JULY 4TH

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

We have been experiencing very hot weather.
This can lead to dehydration if steps are not
taken, to prevent it from happening. 

Enjoy my new post, by clicking on the link: Bydesign

UNDERSTANDING MENINGITIS

Updated 7/25

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meningeal
 coverings of the brain. Meningitis may be cause
by a virus, bacteria, fungi, tumors or chemical
irritants.

Learn more by clicking on the link:
Meningitis and quiz questions

Learn more about : ICP Monitoring

Learn more about : Stroke and ICP Monitoring

HYPERKALEMIA ( HIGH POTASSIUM ) AN ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

Updated 1/25

Scenario: In the image above, Mary has just arrived in the CCU.
She called her doctor with complaints of chest pain on and off 
for about 4 hours. 

Mary also complained of unusual tiredness .her doctor advised
admission to the CCU for a workup. Her Potassium level = 6.2.
Normal Potassium = 3.5 - 5.0.

Hyperkalemia ( High Potassium) is an electrolyte imbalance. EKG
changes, mild chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath and heart 
palpitations are symptoms of hyperkalemia. Kayexalate given
by mouth or enema,is generally ordered, to decrease potassium.

Scenario: Nick is a 21 year old male, who was on his way 
to work , when he became involved in a head on collision.
Someone called 911 and paramedics arrived on scene, to
resuscitate him.

Learn more about : Sepsis

Berries are rich in vitamins , potassium
and magnesium. They are also said to have
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Learn more : All Things food 

Learn more about: Foods and their properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

What is a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage? Would you know what to do if the patient in your care was admitted with one? To learn more, just click on the link:

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 6.

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos.

Updated 2/24

Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.

Please click on the link below for more updated information:

Simple brain facts

PNEUMOTHORAX vs. HEMOTHORAX

 Updated 2/24

Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available. For more updated
information, please click on the links below:
Respiratory Distress 
Sessions 8- Chest Trauma

A Pneumothorax (Sessions 8) can easily be confused with a Hemothorax. Knowing what to look for is important. The trauma patient is at risk for a Pneumothorax or Hemothorax. To learn about how to identify one from the other, just click on the link:

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 6.


 

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

The nurse has an important role to play in the administration of medication. Knowing how to identify the correct dose is extremely important. To learn more, click on the link:

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 6.

You may also enjoy watching the Clinical videos for Nurses.