RERLACEMENT FOR DEARNURSESSERIES

Updated 7/25

Dear nurses,

Sorry, Dearnursesseries is no longer available.

New topics and links have been added below.

Enjoy learning!

Learn more about : Understanding Stroke



Learn more about : The Immune System

Learn more about : Understanding Autodigestion  

For more helpful topics, click on the links below:
 The New Nurse and Care Plan

Medical abbreviations

Learning for the layperson

                       

CAN WE WORK TOWARDS PREVENTING THE SPREADING OF INFECTION?

Scenario: It's diaper changing time. Yes, this is a restaurant.
Then why is the baby's diaper being changed on the table?

Sometimes people do not consider the consequences of
their actions. Without a doubt, a restaurant table is not
 the appropriate place to change a baby's diaper. 

Restrooms are well equipped for baby changing.

Learn more about this topic, by clicking on the link:
The spread of infection

Learn more about : Sepsis

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INFECTION

How can you prevent the spread of infection?

In any Institution preventing the spread of infection should be a major concern.
Above is an example of how the surgical team take steps to prevent infection.

Prior to surgery, extreme measures are taken to prevent infection. The surgical team spend a significant length of time scrubbing up. In addition, sterile gowns and gloves are worn. Masks are used over the nose and mouth. The operating room has been cleaned and sterilized. The patient has also been prepped as ordered by the doctor.

Helpful Hints:
- Practice good hygiene to avoid infection
- Do not forget to wash your hands
- Institutions have a policy in place for changing of IV sites, IV fluids and IV tubing
- Follow your institution's policy
Learn more by clicking on the link:
The spread of infection

WHAT IS HEMIANOPIA ?

Updated 11/25

Scenario: Ann has a pituitary adenoma.
She can only see half of anything in her
visual field.

What is hemianopia?

Hemianopia is a loss of vision (blindness)
in half of the visual field. This may occur in
one or both eyes. Trauma, tumors and strokes
may cause this condition.

BELOW IS A SAMPLE OF HEMIANOPIA

Family teaching is also necessary

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Learn more about: Medical abbreviations - Part 2

                                                     

Learn more about : Critical thinking

Learn more about: Triage

WHAT IS THE PULMONARY ARTERY CATHETER?

Scenario 1: Tom is a 45 year-old male who has a
longstanding cardiac history. He is now in the ICU
for complaints of  shortness of breath on exertion,
chest pain, and dizziness. A diagnosis of cardiomyopathy 
was made. The doctor discusses with Tom the need
 o do invasive heart monitoring.

How is invasive heart monitoring achieved?
Invasive heart monitoring can be accomplished
through a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter, also
known as the Swan-Ganz catheter.  

The PA catheter is inserted by the doctor.
The balloon near the tip is inflated as the
catheter is advanced through the right heart
 chambers and into the pulmonary artery.

Learn more : Hemodynamic monitoring

Scenario 2: Tom is placed in Trendelenburg
position to make insertion of the PA catheter
easy. Sterile gloves and equipment are used
to accomplish this.

What can be determined from the tracings
from inserting a  PA catheter?
The tracings shown in the image above are examples
of what you would expect to see as the PA catheter
is inserted. As the catheter is advanced through
the heart's chambers and even when in place, the
CVP (right atrium) pressure, (RVP ) right ventricle 
pressure, PAP (pulmonary artery pressure), and
pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PCWP) can be read.

Learn more about: The Circulatory System

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR NURSES IN THE CLINICAL SETTING

Dear nurses,

Here is some helpful information for the clinical nurse:

- Do not forget to document the medications you gave

- Check for a history of allergies prior to administering medications

- Never recap a used needle

- It is advisable not to use a needle disposal that is full

- If the trash can is full, notify Housekeeping!

The Numerical Pain Scale is a useful tool when
assessing pain. It is based on a scale of 0-10.
A ladder starts from the ground and escalates to|
the highest point, so does pain start from 0-10.

It is important to do a pain assessment after pain
medication has been given. See image for more
information.

CARDIOGENIC SHOCK AND ASSESSMENT

Scenario: Mrs. R is a 48 year-old female who has a history of a previous myocardial infarction. She was admitted 2 days ago with mild chest pain. She was resting comfortably when she suddenly started feeling short of breath. She is anxious and calls the nurse.

What actions did the nurse take?
-The nurse reassures Mrs. R. She does an assessment, vital signs, and oxygen saturation. She gives oxygen per protocol.

-The nurse notifies the doctor of what has occurred and her assessment findings. She also mentions the vital signs, low oxygen saturation, and steps that were taken to correct the saturation. The doctor gives further orders, including a transfer to CCU.


Why chest pain assessment?
It must be remembered that a patient with heart damage will also experience chest pain. Assessment of the pain should also be included. This may be sharp, with radiation to shoulder/jaw, or it may feel like chest pressure.

Helpful Hint:
Chest pain should always be assessed.
 Enjoy learning more about this topic by clicking on the link:
Simplifying Cardiogenic Shock

NURSES ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

Updated 4/25

Dear nurses,

Clinical scenarios are a normal part of nursing.
Above there are five clinical scenarios unfolding.

Scenario 1- A patient who is admitted to a healthcare
facility and will need teaching. Click on the link:

ER experience for the layperson

Scenario 2- The patient on mechanical ventilation
and the nurse is unsure what to do.Click on the link:

  The patient on mechanical ventilation

Scenario 3 -A patient has arrived in the Emergency
Room, both the doctor and nurse are at the bedside
to do an assessment. Learn more by clicking on the link:

An ER experience
 

Scenario 4 - A nurse does an assessment. Click on the links:

IV assessment
An arterial line

Scenario 5 - A nurse tries to encourage a patient to
do breathing exercises. Click on the link:

Care planning

In the above scenario, a nurse does an assessment
of a patient who is having chest pain. She also has 
to address this n the plan of care. 

A sample of the care plan:

- potential for arrhythmias

- monitor for chest pain, O2 sats
- monitor cardiac rhythm

- assess, document and report any changes