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!

Nursing Fundamentals

DEHYDRATION - WHAT IS IT?

Learn more about: Dehydration

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

Hope your week is going well. We have been
experiencing very hot weather. This can lead
to dehydration, if steps are not taken, to prevent
it from happening. 

Enjoy my new post, by clicking on the link: Bydesign

Learn more about:

Dehydration on a long flight
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Falls should be avoided at all costs!

MATERNAL NURSING FACTS

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

  Homan's sign - when dorsiflexion of the 
   foot is done by the examiner, the patient 
   will complain of calf pain, if there is a
   blood clot.

 

The care plan for each patient, is a reflection
of the information provided about the history 
and MD's diagnosis. Learn more: Care plan

Learn more about : Nursing communication

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.

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:

Preterm labor

Hypovolemic Shock

Sepsis

ICP Monitoring

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.

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

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

New information has been added below.
Enjoy learning!

A skiing accident and admission to ICU

In the image above, a skiing accident has occurred.
The injured person  is admitted to the ICU. ICP
monitoring has been set up.

Learn more by clicking on the link:
Communication skills

Dearnurses.com is no longer available. Abdominal Aortic Aneutysm may result

from hypertension. A stroke may also result from hypertension.

 

In the image above, there are people taking a stroll
in the park. Although no one stops to think about 
each action that is taken, muscles, bones and joint
are at work.

The human body is made up of muscles, bones and 
joints of different sizes. Bones and joints have very
important work to do. They work in unity, to provide
support for the body, as well as protecting vital 
organs.

Learn more about: Muscles, bones and joints

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

Learn more about: ICP MONITORING for the layperson