CHEST PAIN- ASSESSMENT, DOCUMENTATION AND INTERVENTION

Hi guys,

If the patient in your care, complained of chest pain,

would you know what to do?

Do you know how to assess, document and intervene?

To learn more just click on the link. Please watch Sessions 4, Chest Pains Assessment

Topics include Ventricular Fibrillation:

clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

and enjoy learning.

Be heart smart!

The image above shows a Code blue in progress. This is 
happening in the emergency Room. Always follow your

Institution's policies and procedures for Code Blue. 

What is the role of the nurse who is assigned to the Code Blue?

The nurse has an important role in effective communication.
There are many responsibilities.

- staying calm in a chaotic situation
- giving clear instructions to coworkers
- ensuring that MD orders are conveyed correctly

- proper documentation of vital signs and all treatments /
  interventions that take place ( defibrillation for example)
  - the nurse becomes the " binding force

UNDERSTANDING STROKE SYMPTOMS

Updated 6/25

In the image above, Ann is an opera singer.
While on stage, she suddenly starts having
trouble getting her words out. Her right arm
also feels weak. These symptoms are classic
of stroke symptoms.

Severe headache, mental confusion, visual
disturbances and right or left sided weakness
may also occur.

A CAT scan or MRI are diagnostics tests that
are done to confirm the diagnosis. 

What is a stroke?

A stroke is also known as a brain attack.

Identifying strokes

A stroke may be hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding) or
ischemic (embolic) caused by a clot or plaque in a blood
 vessel. Bleeding into the brain may be caused by trauma 
or rupture of a blood vessel due  to high blood pressure. 

In the case of an embolic stroke, a blood clot may obstruct
the flow of blood in the brain. This will also affect oxygen
to the brain. 

Embolic strokes are usually treated with drugs such as
 TPA ( Tissue Plasminogenic Activator). Antihypertensive
drugs and anti seizure medications may also be ordered.

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Learn more about: Stroke for the layperson

COMA, CAN A PATIENT HEAR?

Updated 5/25

Dear nurses,

I have tried to explain what happens to a patient
in a coma. The video involves a true experience
of a nurse. Please click on the link:
Coma /hearing

Enjoy learning!

Scenario 1: Lynn is a new RN. Her preceptor did not

do a good job explaining the correct way to do an 
assessment. 

Learn more, by clicking on the link:
Was an Assessment done

Scenario: Above, is a person who went skiing and
sustained head trauma.This is an indication for 
ICP monitoring.There are many other reasons
that ICP monitoring may be necessary.

Learn more about this topic, by clicking on the 
link: ICP monitoring

PAIN ASSESSMENT

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

It is important to recognize, when a patient
complains of pain, an assessment should be
done by the nurse. Below, examples of pain
assessment, with links, have been added. 

Enjoy learning!

Learn more about : Chest pain assessment 

Learn more about: Pain assessment

Learn more about: The standards of care

Learn more about:
Dehydration on a long flight
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Be cautious, prevent falls!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL NURSES

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

Just wanted to wish all nurses who are mothers, a Happy Mother's Day.

Enjoy the Dearnurses videos.

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 : IV site care

THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNT ABOUT DKA / CLINICAL JUDGEMENT

Updated 5/25

Scenario: Tom was admitted to the ICU, with the clinical
picture of a patient in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). His blood
glucose was 600. Tom has an altered level of consciousness (LOC).
He also has hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose).
Please watch the video below:
Dehydration

Signs and symptoms of DKA

The patient in DKA requires immediate intervention and a level
 of care like ICU.

Some signs that may appear include:

- Hyperglycemia

- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)

- Tachypnea (rapid breathing)

- Polyuria (excessive urination)

- Polydipsia (excessive thirst)

- Flushed face

- Breath has a fruity odor

Please enjoy the video:
Patient education

Medical management is necessary for the patient in DKA.
Frequent monitoring of blood glucose, Insulin IV, Potassium
replacements are included in the management.

The clinical scenario above demonstrates the
situation of a new nurse. She is assigned to the ER
 and is really scared. She does not know how to get
organized.
** A word of caution. Nursing is a wonderful profession.
Taking care of the sick and helping them to get well, is a
 great accomplishment. Perfecting good clinical judgement 
and performance, cannot be accomplished by high scores only. 

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT ABOUT CLINICAL NURSING

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

It is always a pleasure to serve you.

The clinical setting is a wonderful
place to learn and grow in knowledge.

Below are some topics that will help
 you improve your learning curve.

The clinical picture of the patient in Cardiogenic Shock

Learn more about : Pneumothorax

Learn more about: The patient on Mechanical Ventilation

Learn more about : IV site assessment and care

SESSIONS - NURSING FROM OLD TO NEW

Updated 6/25Dear nurses, 

There are many who are not familiar with the history 
of Nursing and do not recognize how far it has come. 
Nursing was not very highly regarded many decades ago.

Though not completely clear about all the details,
Florence Nightingale was once known as the " lady
with the lamp". She has been recognized as one who
worked hard during the Crimean war, to improve Nursing.

Nursing has come a long way!

Below is a list of suggestions for clinical learning.

Clinical scenarios are a normal part of nursing.
Above there are five clinical scenarios unfolding.

Scenario 1- A patient who is admitted to a healthcare
facility and will need teaching. Click on the link:

ER experience for the layperson

Scenario 2- The patient on mechanical ventilation
and the nurse is unsure what to do.Click on the link:

  The patient on mechanical ventilation

Scenario 3 -A patient has arrived in the Emergency
Room, both the doctor and nurse are at the bedside
to do an assessment. Learn more by clicking on the link:

An ER experience
 

Scenario 4 - A nurse does an assessment. Click on the links:

IV assessment
An arterial line

Scenario 5 - A nurse tries to encourage a patient to
do breathing exercises. Click on the link:

Care planning