Dear Nurses: December 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL NURSES

Dear nures,

As we enjoy the Christmas season, which is a very special and joyous time of the year, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

WHY DO PATIENTS CALL CONSTANTLY?

Updated 11/25 Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

In the image above, there are two patients.
Tim, on the left has been admitted to the
hospital for brain surgery. He is obviously
anxious.

He is surrounded by his family for members,
helps to alleviate the stress. The patient on the
right, is admitted for diagnostic tests for headaches.

She has no family present. Her anxiety is reflected
in her frequent calls to the nurse. The nurse is over-
whelmed.

It is not unusual to have such a patient call constantly.

This can be very trying, on a busy day, when a nurse has
many responsibilities. It is exhausting to keep answering
the same call light. Related topics have been added below.

The plan of care should reflect anxiety.

Enjoy the video: Care planning

Learn more about : Surgical information for the layperson

Learn more about : Nursing communication

Learn more about: ICP monitoring for the layperson

TRAUMA CARE FOR NURSES

Updated 9 /25

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

New topics and links have been added below.

Learn more about: Aortic rupture

Learn more about: Communication skills

Please click on the link:

ICP Monitoring

Please watch the video: Bowel obstruction

TRAUMA AFTERMATH (COMPLICATIONS AND REHABILITATION)

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Updated 9/25

Dear nurses,

New information and links have been added below.

Rehabilitation is a necessity for patients who
have sustained injuries of one kind of another.
Depending on the nature of the injury and the
diagnosis, therapy will be ordered by the doctor.

The duration of therapy will depend on the severity
of damage and the patient's ability to make progress.
Speech, physical and /or occupational therapy may be ordered.

Learn more: Stroke prevention

and Sessions 66-Why Therapy

Learn more about : Care planning
Family teaching is also necessary

A blood transfusion may be ordered for
a number of reasons. These include :

-trauma, femur fracture, resulting in
massive blood loss

- thrombocytopenia and more.

Learn more about: Why Therapy and The Aging Process

Learn more about : The Braden Scale

UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA OF THE CHEST, ABDOMEN AND SPINE

The holiday season may bring with it an increase in Traumatic events

(Sessions 7, 8 and 9).

To learn more, simply click on the link:

Trauma Care- Understanding Chest, Abdominal and Spinal Trauma

and enjoy learning.

You may also enjoy watching these Clinical Nursing Videos called SESSIONS, in

particular Sessions 8

NURSES, ANEMIAS & AUTO IMMUNE DISEASES - CHPT 13

Updated 11/25

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.
New topics have been added below.

Topics include:

Anemia

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Multiple Sclerosis

Blood transfusion

Also enjoy watching the video:

Sessions 52

Learn more about: Aplastic anemia

Learn more about : The Immune System

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

What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is a very debilitating illness which
affects the Central Nervous System. It is considered
to be an autoimmune disease. Learn more: Multiple Sclerosis

Can you guess how many cardinals?

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP, CHAPTER 13 ANEMIAS

Updated 1/25

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.
New topics have been added below.

Topics include:

Anemia

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Multiple Sclerosis

Blood transfusion

Also enjoy watching the video:

Sessions 52

Blood transfusion

LUPUS (SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS)

Updated 5/24

Dear nurses,

Dear nurses.net is no longer available.
New information and links have been added.

Scenario: Tim visits his doctor. He explains that he
has been feeling fatigued, with aching in the joints.
He has also been experiencing chest pain on exertion
and a "feverish" feeling. This has been going on for
about two weeks.

This morning , he woke up with a rash over the nose
and ulcers in the mouth. A " butterfly rash" may appear
on the nose of the patient with lupus.The doctor agrees
to run some tests to confirm a diagnosis.

What is SLE?

SLE is considered to be an autoimmune condition.
It may effect more than one organ in the body. In
this condition, the immune system seems to attack
its own body cells.

Signs and symptoms of SLE:

- fever , rash (butterfly rash)

- fatigue , achy joints

- pleuritic chest pain

- photosensitivity

Treatment

Anti inflammatory drugs, corticosteriods and anti-
malaria drugs are used in the treatment.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is a very debilitating illness which affects the
Central Nervous System. It is considered to be an autoimmune
disease. Learn more: Multiple Sclerosis

NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA

Updated 11/25

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Scenario: In the image above, a young man
makes a visit to the doctor. He is concerned
about unusual symptoms.

He complains of feeling tired, itchy, feverish
and losing weight. His doctor wants to run some
tests in order to make a definitive diagnosis.

Swelling of the lymph nodes and night sweats
are also common. Chemoterapy/Immunotherapy
are forms of treatment.

Learn more by clicking on the link:

The New Nurse - Chemo and Radiation

What is glioblastoma?

Gliobalstoma multiforme is a tumor. It can
be treated through chemotherapy drugs like
Temozolmide (Temodar).

Side effects include: seizures, nausea, vomiting,
flu symptoms, and weight/hair loss.

Learn more by clicking on the link:

The New Nurse - Brain and spinal tumor

Learn more about: Multiple sclerosis

ADDRESSING ARNOLD-CHIARI MALFORMATION

Updated 11/25

Arnold-Chiari Malformation is considered to be a
rare condition. Its symptoms may result in headaches
at the back of the head, difficulty swallowing, numbness
and tingling in the hands.

To learn more, simply click on:
Sessions 52 - Arnold Chiari