Dear Nurses

Thursday, August 27, 2009

QUICK LEARNING FACTS - PART 2

Updated 9/25
Dear nurses,

Have a good week and enjoy my new posts below.
God bless you all.


The surgical patient is at risk for: hypothermia,
dehydration, postoperative pneumonia, DVT ,
paralytic ileus or a cardiac event.



 In the immediate postoperative period, a patient may
 develop 
pneumonia if breathing exercises are
neglected .The incentive 
spirometer is used
for this purpose.

The plan of care is used to reflect what is needed 
to improve patient progress. Abdominal assessment
for paralytic 
ileus is also important. 

This leads to abdominal distention and absent bowel
sounds. 
DVT ( deep vein thrombosis) can be avoided
by encouraging 
leg exercises, using TED hose or SCD
device on 
the patient confined to bed.

Learn more about: IV site care and assessment



Falls should be avoided at all cost!
                         


                                     

WHAT ROLE DOES THE PHYSICAL/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST PLAY


Dear nurses,

Have you ever stopped to consider the role of other Healthcare workers?
The final chapter (Chapter 20 ) The Clinical Setting Step by Step
should be posted soon, hopefully. The role of other healthcare workers will be
discussed in this chapter.
So, stay posted.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION-THE FIVE RIGHTS

Dear nurses,

Just to let you know that helpful information on Medication Administration
has been added in a video format. Topics include:
- Injection sites
- PCA Administration
So, just click on the link:
and enjoy learning.

Friday, August 14, 2009

CENTRAL LINE AND IV SITE CARE


Dear nurses,


Would you like to learn more about the use of Central / PICC lines and care of the sites?
Would you like to learn more about IV site care?

Updated 5/24
Dear nurses.com is no longer available.
(Sessions 20)

IV SITE CARE, PREVENTING INFECTION

Dear nurses,
When you do IV site care, do you pay close attention to preventing infection?
Learn more, by clicking on the link: Watch Sessions 20

NURSES, ENJOY YOUR PROFESSION

Updated 5/25
Dear nurses,




Tuesday, August 11, 2009

NEW NURSE - DO YOU KNOW HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR DAY?


Dear nurses,

Being a new nurse can be challenging. It can however, become easy and undaunting.
But, that only comes with understanding how to organize your day.
Just click on the link:
(Sessions 19) and enjoy learning.

WHAT IS A MRI?


Dear nurses,
Do you know what a MRI is ? Would you know how to prepare
the patient in your care for a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
Learn more, by clicking on the link:
(Chapter 17-Diagnostic Tests).
You may also enjoy watching the Clinical videos for nurses.(Sessions 35, 36 and 37)

Saturday, August 08, 2009

MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION ON EKG READING


Dear nurses,
There is more helpful information on EKG reading , available to you.
Simply click on the link:
You may also enjoy watching the Clinical videos for nurses. Watch Sessions 16, 17 & 18

ADDRESSING INFERIOR WALL MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND SINUS ARREST

Updated 9/25

In the image above, a patient is complaining
of persistent indigestion, which is not relieved
by medication.

The nurse decides to call the doctor for further
intervention. It is important to note that the
inferior wall of the heart rests on the diaphragm.
Heartburn related to inferior wall myocardial
infarction, is not uncommon.
Please refer to the image above for more information.


The SA node is the pacemaker of the heart.

The SA (sinoatrial) node is the pacemaker of the 
heart and is part of the electrical conduction system.
It is located in the upper part of the right atrium.
When the SA node fires, the right and left atria
contract simultaneously and blood is forced into
the right and left ventricles.
Learn more about : Pacemaker implantation

Sinus arrest
In the image above, sinus arrest is demonstrated.
On the EKG tracing, there is a long pause. The SA
node does not fire as it is supposed to normally.

There is no blood flow, as would occur when the
SA node is functioning normally. This may result
in fatigue and dizziness.


Hemodynamics refers to blood flow. The heart is a pump,
which pumps blood around the body. If there is damage, 
like a myocardial infarction, the heart's function will be 
impaired. 
Learn more about: Congestive heart failure

Friday, August 07, 2009

LEARNING THE BASICS OF EKG READING


Dear nurses,

More helpful information on EKG interpretation (Sessions 18) has been added. Simply click
and enjoy watching the video.

WHAT EXACTLY IS VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA ?


Dear nurses,
Updated 9/23

What is Ventricular tachycardia ?

Even if you do not understand how
to read an EKG , it does not hurt to
learn the basics. 

You never know when it might be
helpful. So, just click on the links:

Hemodynamics refers to blood flow. The heart is a pump,
which pumps blood around the body. If there is damage, 
like a myocardial infarction, the heart's function will be 
impaired. 
Learn more about: Congestive heart failure


Learn more about: ICP for the layperson

NURSES, DO YOU TAKE TIME TO RELAX


Updated 1/25

Dear nurses,

Try to take time off to relax and enjoy a day out, whenever you can.
Avoid stress as much as possible!

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

EKG INTERPRETATION MADE EASY


Dear nurses,

You may not know how to read an EKG, but that does not mean you cannot learn.
Simply click on the link:
Topics include:
Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
Cardioversion
and enjoy learning

EKG INTERPRETATION-WHAT IT MEANS

EKG INTERPRETATION-WHAT IT MEANS

Updated 4/24
Dear nurses,

Dear nurses.com is no longer available. For more updated information,
please click on the links: 



You may not know what a Junctional Rhythm is, but that does not mean you cannot learn.
Simply click on the link:
( Sessions 17)
and enjoy learning.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

EKG INTERPRETATION MADE EASY

EKG INTERPRETATION MADE EASY
Dear nurses,
Learning to read an EKG can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 .
To find out more, simply click on the link:
(Sessions 16) and enjoy learning.
Have a good weekend!

LEARNING THE BASICS OF EKG INTERPRETATION


Updated 5/25

Learn more about chest pain and the EKG, by 
clicking on the link: Chest pain and the EKG


The heart is always at work. Hemodynamics refers
to blood flow. Learn more by clicking on the link:
The Circulatory System

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.
Learn more about the EKG by clicking on
the link: