DIABETIC TEACHING FOR NURSES AND PATIENT

Dear nurses,

Are you still very new to managing the diabetic patient? The Clinical Setting Step by Step

(Chapter 12), is packed with helpful information. This chapter is coming soon. In the meantime, if the diabetic patient in your care needs teaching, UNDERSTANDING DIABETES FOR THE LAYPERSON may be helpful. Just click on the link: http://www.dearnurses.com/diabetes_for_the_lay_person.
Also enjoy our video on: Healthy Living.

BRAIN TEASERS

Dear nurses,

Can you identify the six food items in this picture? Have a fun time searching!

Also enjoy learning more about the Clinical Setting.

and the Clinical videos.

RED ALERT

Dear nurses,

It is always a pleasure to be of service to you. I strive to do the best job that I can, providing information as accurately as possible. It is still the responsibility of every nurse to follow MD orders and the institution's policies and procedures.

NURSES, IMPROVE YOUR EKG LEARNING CURVE!

Dearnurses.net is no longer available. See below for update.

Updated 1/25                  

Dear nurses,

            The EKG

The SA (Sinoatrial node) is the pacemaker of 
the heart. It is located in the right atrium.This
can best be described as a light switch being
turned on. To learn more, please click on the link:

The EKG and Quiz

Scenarios: There are two scenarios above:

1) Jeanne has a healthy heart and has no problem
walking the treadmill.

2) Sam is having severe chest pain, with radiation
to the jaw.

Enjoy watching the video: for more information:

Hemodynamic Monitoring

EKG RHYTHMS - STEP BY STEP ,

Updated 1/25               Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

The topics above are no longer available. New links have been added.
See below:

- Myocardial infarction

- Atrial fibrillation

- Lethal rhythms

- CABG

The heart is always at work. Hemodynamics refers to blood flow.
Any obstruction to the flow of blood in and around the heart, may
lead to failure.

INFERIOR WALL MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - WHERE IS IT?

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP , CHAPTER 11 has just been completed. If the patient in your care has a myocardial infarction, would you know where to look on the EKG?

to learn more, please click on the link:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step (Chapter11)

You may also enjoy watching the Clinical videos (Sessions 16, 17 and 18).

WHAT IS A CABG?

A CABG(Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) is not a virtual cabbage. It is pronounced cabbage, but is far off from its meaning. This is a surgical procedure done to improve blood supply to the heart. Blood vessels are taken from the leg or chest area and attached to the ones around the heart. A bypass may consist of more than one vessel. To learn more about this topic, click on the link:THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, CHAPTER11 (PART2).

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND STROKE

Atrial fibrillation is an atrial rhythm that results in a very rapid heart rate and "quivering"

of the atria. As a result of this, the atria do not completely empty when contraction occurs.This may lead to the formation of blood clots. A blood clot travelling to the brain may cause stroke. To learn more, please click on the link:

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, chapter 11(PART2).

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos.

EKG SERIES - WHERE IS THAT MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

When a patient complains of chest pain and shortness of breath, would you know if that patient was having ischemic changes or a myocardial infarction? To learn more, simply click on the link:

http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_where_is_that_myocardial_infarction.

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos.

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - SNAP SHOT

The 12 lead EKG is done to analyze a myocardial infarction's location. The electrical activity of the heart is taken from 12 different angles, just like a camera taking a picture from different views. There is an easy way to revise the leads that are involved("mental snap shot").To learn more about which leads to look at, simply click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_where_is_that_myocardial_infarction

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos. (Sessions 16, 17 and 18)

EKG SERIES - MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Hi guys,

A continuation of the basic EKG SERIES has been prepared just for you. If you have learnt the basics and would like to expand your knowledge, please take a moment to click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.com/ekg_series_-_where_is_that_myocardial_infarction.

NURSES - EASY ANEMIA

Dear nurses,
Have a good week and enjoy learning more about anemias(Chapter 13) below.

SIMPLIFYING ANEMIA

Updated 1/25

                                     Simplifying anemia

Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
They carry oxygen around the body. When a patient
does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen,
anemia is said to result. Symptoms such as fatigue,
dizziness, shortness and tachycardia may be noticed.

CBC ( complete blood count) is usually done to check
the hemoglobin. Blood transfusion may be ordered by
 the doctor if anemia is severe.

                 Blood transfusion

Pernicious anemia s a condition which is caused by
a lack of intrinsic factor.This is a protein which is
 produced in the stomach and is responsible for the
absorption of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 injections
are ordered by the doctorand given for the rest of
the patient's life.

IRON DEFICIENCY AND PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

Scenario: Sara is experiencing the symptoms of iron
deficiency anemia.She complains of dizziness, shortness
of breath, tachycardia and a desire to eat  paper
( this condition is known as PICA).

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition which may
result in dizziness,fatigue and shortness of breath.
It may be mild and go unnoticed. More severe forms
result in extreme fatigue and difficulty breathing.
Depending on the severity, the doctor may order
iron supplements or a blood transfusion.

Pernicious anemia is a condition which is caused by
a lack of intrinsic factor. This is a protein which is
 produced in the stomach and is responsible
for the absorption of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12
injections are ordered by the doctor and given for
the rest of the patient's life.

                  Learn more about OCD

SIMPLIFYING SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Sickle cell anemia is considered to be genetic in nature. It is 
said to be common to people in certain parts of the world like 
Africa, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and South America.

In this type of anemia, the cells are not rounded, but shaped 
like a sickle. This abnormal shape of the blood cells, impedes 
the flow of blood through the blood vessels.

Patients with sickle cell anemia, may experience symptoms
such as: difficulty breathing, anxiety, chest and abdominal
pain, pain to arms and legs.

 A Mediterranean scene

Sickle cell crisis:

Patients with sickle cell anemia may experience a crisis.
Helpful suggestions to prevent crisis include : 
- avoiding over exhaustion or severe weather 
that may lead to dehydration.

-  Staying in optimum health to avoid colds and flu.

Treatment includes:

Pain management, close monitoring, oxygen and antibiotic
therapy if needed. Blood transfusions and bone marrow transplant
are also types of treatment used for some patients.

WHAT IS APLASTIC ANEMIA

Aplastic anemia is a form of anemia which may be idiopathic or acquired. Idiopathic means the cause is unknown. Acquired may be due to radiation therapy, anticonvulsants or autoimmune diseases. Bleeding under the skin may result from low platelet count. Blood transfusion and BMT(bone marrow transplant) are forms of treatment. Read Chapter 13 The Clinical Setting Step by Step - dearnurses.net

ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT HEART, KIDNEY AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Dear nurses,

I have just completed The Clinical Setting Step by Step, Chapter 10. This chapter is full of helpful information on heart, kidney and liver failure and transplantation. To learn more, simply click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step, chapter 10.

Also enjoy watching Clinical Video Sessions 47 Organ Transplantation

Coming soon THE 12 LEAD EKG AND IDENTIFYING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION ON THE EKG.

Stay posted and have a good week!

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.
Please use the links to access new information.
- Anasarca

- Cardiogenic shock

- Kidney failure

- Organ transplantation

HEART FAILURE AND TRANSPLANTATION

Updated 1/25

Simple heart facts: The heart is a pump that pumps blood to all the
organs around the body. Any damage to the heart muscle such as a
myocardial infarction may cause lack of blood supply and oxygen
deprivation. This results in chest pain and shortness of breath.

Hemodynamics refers to blood flow.See below.

         Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Heart transplantation

Scenario: Tim was admitted to the ICU with extreme
shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. History includes:

Coronary artery disease and two MIs.
The doctor inserted a PAC ( Pulmonary Artery
Catheter ) in Tim's heart.

Tim was also put on medications like:
- Dobutrex to improve cardiac output
- Nipride to increase vasodilation

He will be cared for in the ICU by specially trained
staff members. Three weeks later a match has been
made and Tim is being prepared for surgery.

Postoperative care is very important in the plan of care.

ASTERIXIS AND ENCEPHALOPATHY IN LIVER FAILURE

Updated 3/ 2023

Would you know how to identify asterixis or encephalopathy if your patient was in liver failure?

To learn more on these topics, simply click on the links:

Liver failure and quiz

Also enjoy watching: Dearnurses videos


 

HEART, KIDNEY AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

You may never have taken care of a patient in end-stage heart, kidney or liver failure, but that does not mean you cannot familiarize yourself with what is involved.

The Clinical Setting Step by Step, Chapter 10, has been prepared just for those who are not familiar with these clinical situations.

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos. Sessions 47 Organ Transplantation

WHEN YOUR PATIENT NEEDS AN ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION

Have you ever taken care of a patient with organ failure? Do you understand what is involved if organ transplantation is needed ?Learn more about heart, kidney and liver transplantation.

Simply click on the link:

The Clinical Setting Step by Step, Chapter 10.

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos.