AVOIDING MEDICATION ERRORS / NUMERICAL PAIN SCALE

Scenario: In the above image, a patient was brought into the 
 Emergency room with complaints of chest pain and a drop in 
 blood pressure. The doctor ordered Morphine for the pain and 
  Dopamine for the hypotension. Both medications were given

     as ordered. The nurse in the green top (left) gave the Morphine
and started the Dopamine infusion.

Next : What went wrong? The nurse forgot to put a label on the
 IV bag and did not document what time both medications were 

 given. It is very important for the nurse to pay close attention to
the time that medications are given. 

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.

Learn more : The Nursing Process

MORE LEARNING AND QUIZ QUESTIONS

Updated 3/26

Dear nurses,

New information and links have been added below.

 

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. Learn more by clicking on the link:
Here

What does TBI mean ?

This means Traumatic Brain Injury. 
In the image below, a surfer hits his head on the pier.

He sustains a TBI and a Subarachnoid hemorrhage.

He was admitted to the ICU for treatment. An EVD was

placed by the doctor. Please click on the links for more
helpful information:  Medical abbreviations - Part 2

                                      ICP for the layperson

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.

Over morning coffee
Common causes of medication errors

SALT IS AN ELECTROLYTE

 Did you know that salt is an electrolyte and is essential
for body cell function? Learn more by clicking on the
link: Bydesign

ENJOY LEARNING SOMETHING NEW

Enjoy learning something new:
Bydesign

 Learn more: Over morning coffee 

ADDRESSING THE HEART AND LUNGS

 Updated 11 /25

Enjoy more helpful information by clicking on the links below:

Chest pain assessment and quiz

and

Chest pain for the layperson

Where are the heart and lungs?
 
 The heart and lungs are both located in the thoracic cavity.
 Heart and lungs work together. For more helpful information
 on this topic, please click on the link below:
 Hemodynamic monitoring

Diabetic Retinopathy

 This condition affects the blood vessels in the eye.
 Poor vision and possible blindness may result from
 leaking and weakening of the blood vessels.

The consequences of poor circulation

The patient who has heart failure,
is also at risk for stroke or renal failure.
The diabetic patient is also at risk for stroke.

            
Aortic rupture may occur as a result of trauma.
Shortness of breath, chest or upper back pain
are some of the symptoms.

Cardiac Tamponade may be caused by penetrating 
trauma such as a knife wound. Pericardiocentesis
is usually done to remove the blood in the pericardial
sac. Learn more, by clicking on the link below:
 The Circulatory System

 

Learn more about: Why Therapy and The Aging Process