PATIENT ASSESSMENT

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New topics with links have been added below.

Patient assessment is a very important tool. 
The patient having chest pain, would have 

an assessment done by the nurse.

A description of the pain, as well as pain
scales assessment ( 1-10) is usually done.

Documentation of intervention is also 
necessary. 

Below are more assessment links:
 Neurological assessment
Abdominal assessment 

Stroke assessment









Updated 2/25

Dear nurses,

Regardless of where you work, assessment is a very important tool. Enjoy learning more about patient assessment( Chapter 15). This is full of helpful information on assessment in the clinical setting. Topics include - Assessment of:

The Patients Responsiveness

Stroke

Cranial Nerves

Spinal

Fall

Pain

& more

ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA

Aspiration pneumonia can be avoided. If the patient has a compromised airway, like the stroke patient, or one who is unconscious , a foreign substance such as stomach content ( from tube feeding) or emesis (vomitus) may enter the lungs. You may also enjoy watching the video:
http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions
(Sessions 14).

ASSESSMENT FROM HEAD TO TOE

Assessment from Head to Toe, Part 1(Head and Spinal Assessment) is the first in a collection of clinical scenarios designed to help the nurse with accurate patient assessment. Enjoy reading and learning. Watch these videos and others, Sessions 2, 4, 11, 12, 13, & 19.

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

PATIENT ASSESSMENT IS IMPORTANT

Updated 8/25

Scenario: Mrs. R is a 48 year-old female who has a history
of a previous myocardial infarction. She was admitted 2 days
ago with mild chest pain. She was resting comfortably when
she suddenly started feeling short of breath. She is anxious 
and calls the nurse.

What actions did the nurse take?
The nurse reassures Mrs. R. She does an assessment, vital 
signs and oxygen saturation. She gives oxygen per protocol.

-The nurse notifies the doctor of what has occurred and her
assessment findings. She also mentions the vital signs, low
oxygen saturation, and steps that were taken to correct the
saturation. The doctor gives further orders, including a
transfer to CCU.

Why chest pain assessment?
It must be remembered that a patient with heart damage
 will also experience chest pain. Assessment of the pain
should also be included. This may be sharp, with radiation
 to shoulder/jaw, or it may feel like chest pressure.

Helpful Hint:
Chest pain should always be assessed.
 Enjoy learning more about this topic by clicking on the link:
Simplifying Cardiogenic Shock

Learn more about : ARDS, DVT and PE

EKG SERIES - WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS EKG

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Below is more updated information.

EKG Interpretation

Watch the video: Cardiac assessment

Learn more about : Triage

EKG SERIES- WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS EKG

EKG SERIS-What is Wrong With This EKG - makes learning to read an EKG simple and effective. It attempts to put the nurse in the Clinical Setting where the EKG has real meaning, when a patient complains of chest pain.

This Series has been broken down in parts, to make learning and understanding easier.

Part 2-Where is that Myocardial Infarction

PART 3 of this Series is now ready.( What is going on at the Junction?)

It describes the function of the AV node (junctional) and what causes such rhythms.

So, enjoy learning. Watch Sessions 16 through 18

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP

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

Dear nurses,

Topics of interest with new links have been added below:

- Subarachnoid hemorrhage 

- Hypovolemoc Shock

- PACU

- Hormones

- ARDS

- Sepsis

- Postoperative care

                                        Learn more about Code Blue

VASOSPASM AFTER SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Updated  4/24

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available. Please click on the link:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and quiz

for more updated information

Following a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, a patient may develop a condition known as Vasospasm. The consequences may be very serious. If you work in the ICU, it is important to know what to look for. Even if you work on the surgical floor, it still pays to recognize the warning signs.

To learn more, simply click on the link:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step

(Chapter

14) and enjoy reading. Watch Sessions 7

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK IN THE ICU

Hypovolemic Shock (Sessions 9)may be fatal, if not recognized and treated.

It you work in the ICU, it is useful to know how to identify the warning signs

of Hypovolemic Shock.

To learn more about this topic, simply click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step

(Chapters 1, 7, 14) and enjoy reading. Watch Sessions 9
http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

CARDIOVERSION VS. DEFIBRILLATION

 

Updated 10 /24

Cardioversion is a form of shock treatment sometimes

 used for Atrial Fibrillation. It is used to change the heart
 rhythm from Atrial fibrillation to a normal rhythm( sinus rhythm). 

The shock is done on the R wave of the EKG. Typically, it is not
an emergency.

Defibrillation is a form of shock treatment used for
Ventricular fibrillation.This is a life threatening rhythm 

and the shock is done as an emergency.There is usually 

no pulse and the patient is unresponsive.

To learn more about this topic, simply click on the links below:

Chest pain assessment and quiz

and Sessions 18

         Heart and lungs work together.




 

CPR IN THE ICU

You the nurse, may never know when you could be faced with a cardiopulmonary arrest

in the ICU setting. Even if you are not an ICU nurse, it is useful knowing how to get organized.

To learn more, simply click on the link:http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step

(Chapter 14) and enjoy learning. Also try Sessions 18

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

CARDIOPULMONARY ARREST IN THE ICU

                          Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Updated 1/25

Dear nurses, 

If you were floated to the ICU and the patient in your care was in
Cardiopulmonary arrest  , would you know what to to do?
 Even if you are not an ICU nurse, knowing how to get organized

is very important. Additional learning:
Cardiopulmonary arrest and quiz questions

ARDS IN THE ICU TRAUMA PATIENT

ARDS (Sessions 13) may occur in the trauma patient, (in the ICU).

Even if you are not an ICU nurse, you may never know when the

occasion may arise to help out in the ICU. Having a knowledge

base is a useful tool. To learn more, simply click on the link:

UPDATE: Respiratory distress

SEPSIS IN THE ICU PATIENT

You may not be an ICU nurse, but you may never know when the opportunity to help out in the ICU may arise. Having a knowledge base and knowing what to look for, can be very useful and helpful to the patient. To learn more about this topic, simply click on the link :http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step,(Chapter 14)

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions (Sessions 10)
Septic Shock - A case Study

NURSES PERFECT THEIR CLINICAL SKILLS

Dear nurses,

Like the artists perfects painting skills, so does the nurse perfect clinical skills.

Learn more:http://www.dearnurses.com/ .

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

God bless you all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR (2009) TO ALL NURSES

Dear nurses,

I would just like to wish you all a happy new year. Please remember there are other sites packed with clinical information prepared just for you. Simply click on the links:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step

or http://www.dearnurses.com/ and enjoy learning.

WHAT'S NEW FOR NURSES 2009

Dear nurses,

First of all, I want to wish you a very happy new year. The Clinical Setting Step by Step continues to grow with clinical information. Chapter 14 will soon be added.

For nurses who have never worked in the ICU, this chapter will be of great benefit.

Above are some clips about what's to come.

Also enjoy watching the Clinical videos.


Update: Just for your learning pleasure, we have added additional topics:

Imagine being in the ICU

Intracranial_Pressure_Monitoring

Hemodynamic_Monitoring