Dear Nurses

Sunday, February 28, 2010

CODE BLUE / THE NURSE'S ROLE

Updated 5/25


Scenario: Above is an example of a Code Blue in an
Emergency Room. The nurse has an important role in
effective communication.

The responsibilities of the nurse are numerous:
- staying calm in a chaotic situation
- giving clear instructions to coworkers
- making sure , MD orders are carried out correctly
- proper documentation

The nurse becomes the binding force".


Scenario 1 : A Code Blue is in progress.
Scenario 2: The nurse is not paying attention!



DEHYDRATION - WHAT IS IT?


Dear nurses,

Would you like to learn more about dehydration, its
causes, treatment and relation to natural disasters?.
Learn more by clicking on the link:

Sunday, February 21, 2010

MATERNAL NURSING TOPICS OF INTEREST


Updated 12/24
Dear nurses,
Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Fetal heart monitoring is done during labor. The nurse
monitors and assesses the mother and baby during labor.

The fetal monitor is a valuable tool for collecting information 
about fetal distress.See above.

Lanugo - fine hair which covers the neonate's body at birth.



    Prolactin is the hormone that is responsible for
    the production of breast milk. 

      The anterior part of the pituitary gland, is responsible for           
      the production of a number of hormones. These include:           
     - Prolactin, which is responsible for breast milk production .
   
     Learn more by clicking on the link: Hormones
  









FUNDAL HEIGHT AND PELVIC EXAM


Updated 5/25
Dear nurses,

During the prenatal period, the pregnant
uterus grows as the fetus does. The fundal
height is usually measured during each visit.
Learn more about: Fetal Heart Monitoring


                                          Prolapsed cord

Prolapse of the umbilical cord during pregnancy may be a
complication of breech births.The fetus is in obvious danger
of suffocation from lack of oxygen.The mother should be placed
 in a knee-chest position and hips and legs elevated on a pillow.

Attempts to prevent cord compression by pushing the fetus back
in, may be done by trained personnel. Emergency C-section may
become necessary.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

UNDERSTANDING DEHYDRATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

Updated 5/25

Dehydration may occur for a number of reasons.
These include, but are not confined to :
Trauma, massive blood loss, burns, surgical
intervention, a long flight with time changes.


Most people who anticipate taking a long plane
 flight may hardly stop to think about dehydration
 and its consequences. 
This topic continues here : Dehydration



DKA may lead to dehydration. Learn more : DKA


The trauma patient is at risk for dehydration.
Learn more :Trauma

WHEN NATURAL DISASTER STRIKES

Updated 5/25 




What are natural disasters?

Natural disasters are for the most part events that occur
naturally, but can be devastating. A volcano may erupt
without warning, a tsunami ( tidal wave) may occur
and do untold amounts of destruction. An earthquake
may happen in places where they never have before.

                             What is an avalanche?
An avalanche as we know it , is a rapidly moving mass of snow or
other material along a mountain slope. It is extremely dangerous, 
    as it takes with it, anything in its way. It may even be a human being.

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Learn more about when natural disaster strikes,
by watching the video: Natural disaster

New links for topics listed above:



DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS - CLINICAL APPEARANCE



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

Please click on the link : Clinical appearance of the patient in DKA
for more information.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

WHEN NATURAL DISASTER STRIKES

Dear nurses,

On January 12, 2010 a massive earthquake rocked
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The devastation was beyond
belief. Learn more about the impact and aftermath
of trauma.


A natural disaster may take many forms.
An earthquake, heavy flooding, landslides,
brush fires, a tsunami, a tornado, an avalanche 
and more, may be called a natural disaster.

Simply click on the link: OCD









TRAUMA FROM HEAD TO TOE

Dear nurses,

Are you aware of the effect of trauma on the body?
Learn more about this helpful topic by clicking on the links:

WHAT IS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER?



Updated 12/24
Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Identifying PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

 Following a traumatic event such as a car accident, fire, sexual
assault, witness to a crime or natural disaster, some people have
great difficulty coping.

This additional stress may continue for a long period of time.
Relationships, family dynamics and work may all be affected.
Please watch the video:  Sessions 29



Learn more about : Spinal injury