CLINICAL INFORMATION FOR NURSES

Updated 3/26

Dear nurses,

New information has been added below.

The standards of care are an essential part of  the
Nursing profession. It provides guidelines within a
framework of practices.

Learn more about : The standards of care

Learn more about : Nursing communication

PCA ( Patient Controlled Analgesia)

Patient Controlled Analgesia may be ordered by
the doctor for the patient who is awake, alert and
able to self medicate. This method of administering
pain medication , is done via a pump, through the
intravenous route. Dosages are decided by the doctor.

However, patient and family teaching should be
included in the care plan. It is not uncommon for
family members to press the pain button for the
patient. Sessions 12 gives an overview of pain
assessment.

Indications for the use of the PCA pump include:

- patients who have surgical intervention

- patients with cancer or chronic pain issues

- conditions such as pancreatitis, sickle cell 

  anemia and more.

                                        

In the above image, examples of how brain injuries
can occur, are shown. Click on the links:
ICP monitoring

Stroke and ICP

for more information. 

The surgical patient is at risk for infection, related to
  surgical intervention.

- Paralytic ileus may occur .

- Hypothermia due to fluid loss and bodily exposure
  during surgery. Hypothermia increases the body's need
  for oxygen and possibly may lead to a cardiac event.

 Warming measures are necessary.

Nursing communication skills - Part 1

Nursing communication skills - Part 2

 

CARE PLAN-WHAT IS IT?

Updated 5/25

Whether you are the nurse who works in the PACU,
surgical floor, ER, or Critical Care, it is important to
remember that your quality of nursing care will impact
patient outcomes. 

For more information on this topic, please click on the link:

The Importance of Care planning

CLINICAL SCENARIO:
The patient in the above scenario had brain surgery.
ICP Monitoring is being done. Family members have
been around the bedside for several hours.

To learn more about this topic, please click on the link:

The care plan

NURSING DIAGNOSIS AND CARE PLANNING

Updated 6/25

Learn more about: Care Planning

Learn more about : Common causes of Medication errors

HEY NURSE, DID YOU TAKE CARE OF THE CARE PLAN?

Dear nurses,

Do you understand how to implement the Plan of Care ?
Please learn more about this topic, by clicking on the link:
Sessions 26 (Nursing Diagnosis and Care Planning).

INFECTION CONTROL

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Above, there is a hospital orientation in progress. The nurse
educator, is advising the staff how to practice good hygiene
and prevent the spread of infection.

Learn more about : The spread of infection

An intravenous infusion may be started in a peripheral
site or a central line site.

Learn more by clicking on the link:
IV assessment

Learn more about : Sepsis

The surgical patient is at risk for infection, related to
  surgical intervention.

- Paralytic ileus may occur .

- Hypothermia due to fluid loss and bodily exposure
  during surgery. Hypothermia increases the body's need
  for oxygen and possibly may lead to a cardiac event.

 Warming measures are necessary.

BRUDZINSKI'S AND KERNIG'S SIGNS

Updated 7/25

Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs may occur in the
patient who has Meningitis or a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
These signs may also occur with a Traumatic Brain Injury.

To learn more about these topics, simply click on the links: 

Neurological Assessment

Sessions 23

Learn more about: Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

Please click on the links below, to learn
more about:

Stroke and its prevention

and

Poor circulation

Learn more about: ICP MONITORING for the layperson

PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THE CLINICAL SETTING

Dear nurses,

Many patients may require Physical Therapy/ Occupational
Therapy following an injury like a stroke, car accident,
amputation or surgical intervention.
To learn more about the purpose that Therapy serves in the
Clinical Setting, simply click on the link:
http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step
( Chapter 20) and enjoy learning more.

SIMPLIFYING MATERNAL NURSING

Updated 12/24              Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

Scenario: Megan is 12 weeks pregnant.
She has been vomiting once or twice
daily and is beginning to feel weak
and tired. Learn more by clicking on the link:

Hyperemesis Gravidarum 

Estrogen and Progesterone are two hormones
produced by the ovaries initially, then the placenta 
in the latter part of pregnancy. 

They are first produced by the ovaries and later
the placenta. Estrogen and Progesterone also
keep the placenta healthy and enhance lactation.

IDENTIFYING FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Updated 1/26

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

In the image above, a young woman is visiting her
doctor for her first prenatal checkup. A history and
physical is done by the nurse. Blood pressure, pulse
and heart rates are checked and recorded at each 

prenatal visit. Lab values are also done.

Significant information about her last menstrual
period, still births, any previous pregnancies or
abortions.

The first three weeks of pregnancy is known as
the pre-embryonic or zygote stage. The next
four- eight weeks are known as the embryonic 
stage.

Types of pelvis

There are four main types of pelvis. They
are demonstrated in the image above.

Fundal height

During the prenatal period, the pregnant
uterus grows as the fetus grows.The fundal
height is used to assess the growth of the
developing fetus. 

During each visit the fundal height will be
measured in centimeters. This is done, from
the top of the uterus to the top of the pubic bone.

Learn more about: Fetal Heart Monitoring

Dearnurses.org is no longer available.

Braxton Hicks contractions

These contractions are mild uterine contractions
that may start around the second trimester. They
become more frequent in the third trimester.

FALL BEAUTIFUL FALL

Dear nurses,

This fall scene is just for you. So, enjoy it and also reading the rest of my blog.

DIPLOPIA, WHAT IS IT?

Updated 8/24

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

The above scenario:  Mary was finished pumping gas. She begins
walking to the service center to pay and notices everything is double.

She is experiencing a condition called diplopia.

Diplopia or double vision, may be classified as temporary, monocular
binocular, or voluntary.

Causes of diplopia :

- head injury, a brain tumor

- alcohol intoxication

- drugs like Dilantin

- Multiple Sclerosis 

- cranial nerve injury and more.

WHAT IS CEREBRAL EDEMA

Updated 1/25 Dear nurses,

Are you familiar with what causes cerebral edema ? Cerebral edema

( swelling on the brain) may have many causes, these include:

-  brain trauma, subdural hematoma

- high altitude

- brain tumors

- hypernatremia

- electrolyte imbalances 

Symptoms include: headache, light-headedness, mental confusion,

nausea and fatigue.

Treatment is directed at correcting the cause.

Learn more about electrolyte imbalances by clicking on the link:

Electrolyte imbalances