Dear Nurses: CLINICAL INFORMATION FOR NURSES

Updated 3/26

Dear nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.
New information has been added below.

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

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 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.