Dear Nurses: August 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

Updated 1/26 Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

New information and links have been added below.

Who needs Therapy?

Here are some examples of patients who need Therapy:

-The patient who had a traumatic event.
- The patient had surgical intervention such as hip surgery,
limb amputation, or a fractured limb.
- A patient who suffered a stroke or other brain injury.
- A patient who had a spinal injury and needs
help to restore mobility.
- A person who is mentally unable to cope due to stress.
- A person who has a bipolar disorder, or Schizophrenia.
- A person with PTSD or OCD
Learn more about:
Why Therapy
The Aging Process

Learn more about the: Cranial nerves

Types of Therapy

Physical therapy targets restoration of gross motor
movement, balance and strength. Occupational therapy
on the other hand, helps to restore fine motor skills like
feeding oneself, bathing, dressing and ultimately,
independence.

Speech therapy aims at the improvement of swallowing ,
speaking and communication.

In the image above, Mrs.M sustained a fracture of
the neck of the femur. An ORIF ( open reduction
internal fixation) was done in the Operating Room.

Above, an example of MD orders is shown. An
abductor pillow to prevent internal rotation has
been put in place.

The patient who is confined to bed is at risk for
skin breakdown, DVT and pneumonia. This should
be reflected in the plan of care.

Enjoy watching the video:
Stress and its impact on the body

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:

- The Five Rights

- Injection sites

- PCA Administration

- Immunosuppressant drugs.

So, just click on the link:

http://www.dearnurses.com/sessions_-_clinical_videos_page_2

and enjoy learning.

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.

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

(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

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

NURSES, ENJOY YOUR PROFESSION

Updated 5/25

Dear nurses,

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:

http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

(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:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step

(Chapter 17-Diagnostic Tests).

You may also enjoy watching the Clinical videos for nurses.(Sessions 35, 36 and 37)

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

LEARNING THE BASICS OF EKG READING

Dear nurses,

More helpful information on EKG interpretation (Sessions 18) has been added. Simply click

on the link: http://www.dearnurses.com/clinical_nursing_videos_called_sessions

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:

Sessions 18

Cardiogenic Shock

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