HAVE A GOOD WEEK

                              Nurses are special!

Updated 5/25

How good are your communication skills?
Have you helped your coworker today?

Have a good week.

Enjoy watching the video:

The New Nurse - Communication Skills

The Nursing Process is described as having five steps.
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation and
Evaluation.

WHAT DO SAH AND MENINGITIS HAVE IN COMMON

What do Subarachnoid hemorrhage and meningitis have in common?
Well the symptoms are alike. They both exhibit symptoms like the ones
above (Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs). To learn more about this topic,
 click on the link: Sessions 23

Meningitis -Quiz

Also take the quiz on:
SAH 

And enjoy learning!
Updated 4/23

RECEPTIVE AND EXPRESSIVE APHASIA

Updated 1/25

Dear nurses,

Assessment in the Clinical Setting is no longer available.

Receptive aphasia - In the image above, Alice had
a stroke which involved Wernicke's area. She has 
difficulty understanding when spoken to.Wernicke's
area is responsible for speech comprehension.

Expressive aphasia - Martha had a stroke that
involved Broca's area. She knows what she
wishes to say, but has difficulty expressing
herself. She gets frustrated and cries a lot.
This is sometimes described as " confused",
is not the case

For additional updated information on this topic visit:

Stroke assessment and brain involvement

or watch the video:

Sessions 65 - Stroke or no Stroke

The largest of the cranial nerves, is the Trigeminal.
                 This nerve contains three branches:
                Opthalmic ( corneal blink reflex). 
                           Maxillary - which supplies the upper jaw

                   Mandibular - controls the lower jaw.

Cranial nerve 7 - is the facial nerve , this is

checked with the trigeminal nerve.

Learning for the layperson

BRAIN TEASERS FOR NURSES

Updated 10/24

Dear nurses,

Have you ever stopped to consider what certain medical terminology mean?

Well, here are some brain teasers just for you.

For example, the cerebellum is the part of the brain that works on coordination.
When it is injured by trauma, a patient may become very unstable on his feet:
  "wobbly walk".              

Stroke Series is no longer available.
STROKE SERIES -ASSESSMENT IN THE CLINICAL SETTING.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU, NURSES

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

New topics have been added below. Enjoy learning!

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

      Be cautious, prevent falls!

    Learn more about: Organizational skills

HYPOTHERMIA IN THE PACU PATIENT

                           

                                             

 In the image above, a patient has just arrived
 in the PACU. The core temperature is 95
 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm blankets or a Bair
 Hugger may be used.

Defining Hypothermia
Hypothermia is defined as a drop in core temperature
of less than 95 Fahrenheit(35 Celsius). Regardless of
the cause, it is considered to be life - threatening. 

Hypothermia increases the body's demand for oxygen. 
If left untreated, it may lead to a myocardial infarction

 (heart attack). 

Trauma Care - Part 1 is no longer available
                             

Trauma resulting in excessive blood loss,

     as well as alcohol ingestion, may also         
lead to hypothermia.Symptoms include:
shivering, blue lips, decrease in level

of consciousness and cold extremities. IV
fluids may have to be warmed. 

                                           

ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY IN THE PACU

Anticoagulation Therapy( Sessions 11) such as Heparin is used in many conditions.

If your were assigned to a patient in PACU, who is receiving Heparin Therapy, would

you know what to monitor? To learn more, click on the link:

http://dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step  Chap 9.

AIRWAY MANAGEMENT OF THE PACU PATIENT

When a patient arrives in PACU, airway management
should not be ignored. Conditions such as hypoxia may result. 

Patients who have a prior history of respiratory problems, may
not be extubated following surgery. They may require ventilatory
support. An ABG may be ordered by the doctor, to evaluate any
hypoxia.

See the above image for more helpful information.

Scenario: The patient above, was in respiratory distress
and placed  on mechanical ventilation. It is difficult
for the patient on a ventilator to describe pain. Knowing
how to assess is very important.

This topic , including quiz questions continue here:

Mechanical ventilation

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AND ENJOY LEARNING

Updated 6/25 Dear nurses,

It is always a pleasure to serve you. New topics 
have been added below.

Every new nurse has to start from somewhere, in 
the clinical setting. Sometimes a new nurse may be
off to a rough start, if the Preceptor is not willing
to help.

There are ways to prepare yourself, should such
an occasion arise. 
Learn more about: The Nurse's Critical Thinking

Learn more about: The Triage Nurse

Above, two nurses are transporting a patient to the ER.
Learn more about : X-Ray and pulse oximeter

BRAIN STEM FUNCTION

 Updated 2/24

Dear nurses,

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

click on the link : Cranial nerves

for more updated information.

When the neurological assessment is done, do you fully understand what part of the brain is involved and what to look for? For more helpful information on brain stem function, please go to

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP (Chapter 9 )and enjoy learning.

EPIDURAL VS. SUBDURAL BLEEDING AND HEMATOMA

Updated 1/25

Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.

Epidural vs. 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 ( hematoma) 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 initially okay, then later becomes unconscious. It is common in alcoholics.

                      Learn more about:  Subarachnoid hemorrhage

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses, 

It is important to remember that pain assessment,
should not be overlooked. Always follow MD orders

for pain management.

Documentation of pain relief is also necessary.

Chest pain is a very common complaint. It may
occur anywhere and anytime, even at rest.
Learn more about : Chest pain

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.

It is important to do a pain assessment after pain
medication has been given. See image for more
information.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

Updated 6/25
Dear nurses,

It is always a pleasure to serve you. 
New topics have been added below.

Have a good week!

Please watch the video: Bowel obstruction

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

THE POSTOPERATIVE PATIENT AND PACU

Updated 6/25

                                               

PACU ( Post Anesthesia Care Unit)

Following surgical intervention, a patient is transferred
to an area known as PACU. . Upon arrival, a nurse will
 reorient the patient to his surroundings and do an
 assessment. 

The nurse will also follow MD orders regarding: 

- monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation,

- administer pain medication, replace IV fluids,

- check dressings at surgical sites for bleeding 

- check drainage tubes and carry out any other

  instructions.

What is an ileus?

 An ileus may develop in the postoperative patient,

 following abdominal surgery. It may also occur from
the use of narcotics.

The warning signs include: abdominal pain, distention
and absent bowel sounds.

Learn more about:

Medical terminology in the Clinical setting

Topics include:

- DKA ( Diabetic Ketoacidosis )
- Hypothermia in the postoperative patient
- Malignant Hyperthermia its causes and treatment