Nursing Tips (576)

Older siblings may have difficulty adapting to the presence of the infant.

"Gift from Infant"

Cathy Parkes

Older siblings may have difficulty adapting to the presence of the infant. 

"Gift from Infant"

Cathy Parkes

Older siblings may have difficulty adapting to the presence of the infant. 

In Vitamin E toxicity, a patient may experience impaired blood coagulation. Too much E = blEEding.

Vitamin E Toxicity

Cathy Parkes

In Vitamin E toxicity, a patient may experience impaired blood coagulation.

Vitamin E Toxicity

Cathy Parkes

In Vitamin E toxicity, a patient may experience impaired blood coagulation.

Monitor patients taking cyclophosphamide for blood in the urine, as this medication can cause hemorrhagic cystitis.

Cyclophosphamide

Cathy Parkes

Monitor patients taking cyclophosphamide for blood in the urine, as this medication can cause hemorrhagic cystitis.

Cyclophosphamide

Cathy Parkes

Monitor patients taking cyclophosphamide for blood in the urine, as this medication can cause hemorrhagic cystitis.

Nursing Tips - Halo Traction Devices

Halo Traction Devices

Cathy Parkes

If a patient has a halo traction device in place, be sure wrench to release rods is attached to vest (so CPR can be performed in the event of an...

Halo Traction Devices

Cathy Parkes

If a patient has a halo traction device in place, be sure wrench to release rods is attached to vest (so CPR can be performed in the event of an...

If there is a tornado, avoid windows, and move patients to the middle of the building (e.g., hallways). If the patient cannot be moved, place a blanket over the patient for protection.

Tornado Nursing Procedures

Cathy Parkes

If there is a tornado, avoid windows, and move patients to the middle of the building (e.g., hallways). If the patient cannot be moved, place a blanket over the patient...

Tornado Nursing Procedures

Cathy Parkes

If there is a tornado, avoid windows, and move patients to the middle of the building (e.g., hallways). If the patient cannot be moved, place a blanket over the patient...

If an infant has not passed meconium within the first 48 hours of life, they should be evaluated for Hirschsprung Disease. A colostomy may be needed in this case after surgical removal of the affected portion of the colon.

Hirschsprung Disease

Cathy Parkes

If an infant has not passed meconium within the first 48 hours of life, they should be evaluated for Hirschsprung Disease. A colostomy may be needed in this case after...

Hirschsprung Disease

Cathy Parkes

If an infant has not passed meconium within the first 48 hours of life, they should be evaluated for Hirschsprung Disease. A colostomy may be needed in this case after...

Important nutritional guidance for the patient with Cushing's Disease includes restricting fluid and sodium, but increasing intake of potassium, calcium, and protein.

Cushing's Disease: Nutritional Guidance

Cathy Parkes

Important nutritional guidance for the patient with Cushing's Disease includes restricting fluid and sodium, but increasing intake of potassium, calcium, and protein.

Cushing's Disease: Nutritional Guidance

Cathy Parkes

Important nutritional guidance for the patient with Cushing's Disease includes restricting fluid and sodium, but increasing intake of potassium, calcium, and protein.

Primary use of Lactulose

Primary use of Lactulose

Cathy Parkes

Lactulose is a laxative, but it is primarily used to decrease AMMONIA levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Primary use of Lactulose

Cathy Parkes

Lactulose is a laxative, but it is primarily used to decrease AMMONIA levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

If equipment malfunctions, tag the faulty equipment, take it out of use, and notify the appropriate department.

Faulty Equipment

Cathy Parkes

If equipment malfunctions, tag the faulty equipment, take it out of use, and notify the appropriate department.

Faulty Equipment

Cathy Parkes

If equipment malfunctions, tag the faulty equipment, take it out of use, and notify the appropriate department.

Tumors are staged using the TNM staging criteria.

TNM Staging Criteria for Tumors

Cathy Parkes

Tumors are staged using the TNM staging criteria. T = Tumor (T1 - T4), representing the size and extent of the tumor. N = Node (N0 - N3), relating to...

TNM Staging Criteria for Tumors

Cathy Parkes

Tumors are staged using the TNM staging criteria. T = Tumor (T1 - T4), representing the size and extent of the tumor. N = Node (N0 - N3), relating to...

If a child ingests or is believed to have ingested a poison or other toxic substance, educate parents that the first step is to call poison control before doing anything else.

Poison Control: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

If a child ingests or is believed to have ingested a poison or other toxic substance, educate parents that the first step is to call poison control before doing anything...

Poison Control: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

If a child ingests or is believed to have ingested a poison or other toxic substance, educate parents that the first step is to call poison control before doing anything...

Interferon alpha-2b is used to enhance the body's immune response to tumors and viruses, but it can cause flu-like symptoms, bone marrow suppression, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, dyspnea, alopecia, GI upset, and psychiatric disorders!

Interferon Alpha-2b

Cathy Parkes

Interferon alpha-2b is used to enhance the body's immune response to tumors and viruses, but it can cause flu-like symptoms, bone marrow suppression, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, dyspnea, alopecia, GI upset, and...

Interferon Alpha-2b

Cathy Parkes

Interferon alpha-2b is used to enhance the body's immune response to tumors and viruses, but it can cause flu-like symptoms, bone marrow suppression, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, dyspnea, alopecia, GI upset, and...

Laboring patients who express back pain may benefit from sacral counterpressure. The nurse or support person can use the heel of their hand or their fist to push against the maternal sacrum to relieve lower back pain.

Back Pain during Labor

Cathy Parkes

Laboring patients who express back pain may benefit from sacral counterpressure. 

Back Pain during Labor

Cathy Parkes

Laboring patients who express back pain may benefit from sacral counterpressure. 

If a child is diagnosed with Mononucleosis, educate the family that they should avoid contact sports due to the risk of splenic rupture!

Mononucleosis in Children

Cathy Parkes

If a child is diagnosed with Mononucleosis, educate the family that they should avoid contact sports due to the risk of splenic rupture!

Mononucleosis in Children

Cathy Parkes

If a child is diagnosed with Mononucleosis, educate the family that they should avoid contact sports due to the risk of splenic rupture!

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) causes a sudden onset of weakness and paralysis, usually following a respiratory or GI viral infection. Be sure to maintain a patent airway!

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Cathy Parkes

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) causes a sudden onset of weakness and paralysis, usually following a respiratory or GI viral infection. Be sure to maintain a patent airway!

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Cathy Parkes

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) causes a sudden onset of weakness and paralysis, usually following a respiratory or GI viral infection. Be sure to maintain a patent airway!

For topical lidocaine cream (e.g., EMLA cream) to numb an area, be sure to apply it 1 hour before the procedure and cover it with an occlusive dressing.

Applying Topical Lidocaine Cream

Cathy Parkes

For topical lidocaine cream (e.g., EMLA cream) to numb an area, be sure to apply it 1 hour before the procedure and cover it with an occlusive dressing.

Applying Topical Lidocaine Cream

Cathy Parkes

For topical lidocaine cream (e.g., EMLA cream) to numb an area, be sure to apply it 1 hour before the procedure and cover it with an occlusive dressing.

When collecting a clean catch urine specimen, educate patients to clean the urethra with sterile wipes, waste the initial amount into the toilet and then position the sterile container into the stream.

Clean Catch Urine Specimen Collection

Cathy Parkes

When collecting a clean catch urine specimen, educate patients to clean the urethra with sterile wipes, waste the initial amount into the toilet and then position the sterile container into...

Clean Catch Urine Specimen Collection

Cathy Parkes

When collecting a clean catch urine specimen, educate patients to clean the urethra with sterile wipes, waste the initial amount into the toilet and then position the sterile container into...

Presumptive Signs of pregnancy are things that can be explained by OTHER reasons besides pregnancy. Examples: Nausea/vomiting, urinary frequency, amenorrhea, quickening (fetal movements felt by the mother), breast changes, fatigue.

Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy

Cathy Parkes

Presumptive Signs of pregnancy are things that can be explained by OTHER reasons besides pregnancy.

Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy

Cathy Parkes

Presumptive Signs of pregnancy are things that can be explained by OTHER reasons besides pregnancy.

Educate a patient following cataract surgery to avoid activities that increase intracranial pressure. Do not bend at waist, blow nose, lift ≥ 10 lbs., or strain with bowel movements.

Cataract Surgery: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate a patient following cataract surgery to avoid activities that increase intracranial pressure. Do not bend at waist, blow nose, lift ≥ 10 lbs., or strain with bowel movements.

Cataract Surgery: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate a patient following cataract surgery to avoid activities that increase intracranial pressure. Do not bend at waist, blow nose, lift ≥ 10 lbs., or strain with bowel movements.

Family teaching for a child experiencing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome should include to thoroughly cook all food in the future in order to kill E. coli, the toxin responsible for the condition.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Family teaching for a child experiencing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome should include to thoroughly cook all food in the future in order to kill E. coli, the toxin responsible for the condition.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Family teaching for a child experiencing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome should include to thoroughly cook all food in the future in order to kill E. coli, the toxin responsible for the condition.

When administering enemas, lubricate the tip and insert it approximately 3 - 4" into the rectum with the tip angled towards the umbilicus.

Administering an Enema

Cathy Parkes

When administering enemas, lubricate the tip and insert it approximately 3 - 4" into the rectum with the tip angled towards the umbilicus.

Administering an Enema

Cathy Parkes

When administering enemas, lubricate the tip and insert it approximately 3 - 4" into the rectum with the tip angled towards the umbilicus.

For a patient experiencing shoulder dystocia, suprapubic pressure may help to push baby's shoulder off of the symphysis pubis.

Shoulder Dystocia

Cathy Parkes

For a patient experiencing shoulder dystocia, suprapubic pressure may help to push baby's shoulder off of the symphysis pubis. 

Shoulder Dystocia

Cathy Parkes

For a patient experiencing shoulder dystocia, suprapubic pressure may help to push baby's shoulder off of the symphysis pubis. 

In most states, scheduled medications (i.e., those with risk for abuse) cannot be called in over the phone, and refills are not permitted.

Scheduled Medications

Cathy Parkes

In most states, scheduled medications (i.e., those with risk for abuse) cannot be called in over the phone, and refills are not permitted.

Scheduled Medications

Cathy Parkes

In most states, scheduled medications (i.e., those with risk for abuse) cannot be called in over the phone, and refills are not permitted.

Herbal supplements can interact with medications! Garlic, Gingko Biloba, and Ginger increase a patient's bleeding risk with aspirin, NSAIDs, and warfarin.

Drug Interactions: Herbal Supplements

Cathy Parkes

Herbal supplements can interact with medications! Garlic, Gingko Biloba, and Ginger increase a patient's bleeding risk with aspirin, NSAIDs, and warfarin.

1 comment

Drug Interactions: Herbal Supplements

Cathy Parkes

Herbal supplements can interact with medications! Garlic, Gingko Biloba, and Ginger increase a patient's bleeding risk with aspirin, NSAIDs, and warfarin.

1 comment
Fine motor skills for a preschooler by age include: 3 years: draw a circle, 4 years: draw a square, 5 years: draw a diamond and triangle.

Fine Motor Skills for a Preschooler

Cathy Parkes

Fine motor skills for a preschooler by age include: 3 years: draw a circle, 4 years: draw a square, 5 years: draw a diamond and triangle.

Fine Motor Skills for a Preschooler

Cathy Parkes

Fine motor skills for a preschooler by age include: 3 years: draw a circle, 4 years: draw a square, 5 years: draw a diamond and triangle.

Educate patients on measures to prevent integumentary system cancers including avoiding midday sun, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, and performing regular skin checks for changes.

Skin Cancer

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients on measures to prevent integumentary system cancers including avoiding midday sun, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, and performing regular skin checks for changes.

Skin Cancer

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients on measures to prevent integumentary system cancers including avoiding midday sun, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, and performing regular skin checks for changes.

Fluoride is important for decreasing tooth decay.

Fluoride

Cathy Parkes

Fluoride is important for decreasing tooth decay. 

Fluoride

Cathy Parkes

Fluoride is important for decreasing tooth decay. 

Exstrophy of the Bladder is a condition marked by an infant's bladder being inside out and exposed through the abdominal wall.

Exstrophy of the Bladder

Cathy Parkes

Exstrophy of the Bladder is a condition marked by an infant's bladder being inside out and exposed through the abdominal wall.

Exstrophy of the Bladder

Cathy Parkes

Exstrophy of the Bladder is a condition marked by an infant's bladder being inside out and exposed through the abdominal wall.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant, meaning that it pulls fluid into thin secretions and make them easier to cough out.

Guaifenesin: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Guaifenesin is an expectorant, meaning that it pulls fluid into thin secretions and make them easier to cough out.

Guaifenesin: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Guaifenesin is an expectorant, meaning that it pulls fluid into thin secretions and make them easier to cough out.

Educate patients who experience gout to avoid alcohol, purine-rich foods (e.g., red meat, organ meat, shellfish, high fructose drinks), and "starvation" dieting, but increase their fluid intake and reduce stress.

Gout: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients who experience gout to avoid alcohol, purine-rich foods (e.g., red meat, organ meat, shellfish, high fructose drinks), and "starvation" dieting, but increase their fluid intake and reduce stress.

Gout: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients who experience gout to avoid alcohol, purine-rich foods (e.g., red meat, organ meat, shellfish, high fructose drinks), and "starvation" dieting, but increase their fluid intake and reduce stress.

Umbilical Cord Inspection - LevelUpRN

Umbilical Cord Inspection

Cathy Parkes

After birth, the placenta and umbilical cord are inspected for abnormalities. The umbilical cord should contain 2 arteries and 1 vein and have no green/brown discoloration.

Umbilical Cord Inspection

Cathy Parkes

After birth, the placenta and umbilical cord are inspected for abnormalities. The umbilical cord should contain 2 arteries and 1 vein and have no green/brown discoloration.

Filgrastim - LevelUpRN

Filgrastim

Cathy Parkes

Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of neutrophils in patients with neutropenia. 

Filgrastim

Cathy Parkes

Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of neutrophils in patients with neutropenia. 

Ways to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) include performing proper hand hygiene, performing line/tube/drain care per evidence-based facility policy, limiting invasive procedures, and removing invasive devices as soon as indicated.

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Cathy Parkes

Ways to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) include performing proper hand hygiene, performing line/tube/drain care per evidence-based facility policy, limiting invasive procedures, and removing invasive devices as soon as indicated.

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Cathy Parkes

Ways to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) include performing proper hand hygiene, performing line/tube/drain care per evidence-based facility policy, limiting invasive procedures, and removing invasive devices as soon as indicated.

Epistaxis, or nosebleed, is common in childhood. In a child with epistaxis, lean their head forward (not back!) to prevent swallowing of blood.

Epistaxis

Cathy Parkes

Epistaxis, or nosebleed, is common in childhood. In a child with epistaxis, lean their head forward (not back!) to prevent swallowing of blood. 

Epistaxis

Cathy Parkes

Epistaxis, or nosebleed, is common in childhood. In a child with epistaxis, lean their head forward (not back!) to prevent swallowing of blood. 

During a thoracentesis (drainage of fluid from pleural space), monitor the patient for pneumothorax and hypotension.

Thoracentesis

Cathy Parkes

During a thoracentesis (drainage of fluid from pleural space), monitor the patient for pneumothorax and hypotension.

Thoracentesis

Cathy Parkes

During a thoracentesis (drainage of fluid from pleural space), monitor the patient for pneumothorax and hypotension.

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism

Cathy Parkes

Ethnocentrism: The belief that one's own culture is superior to all others. View world from their own cultural viewpoint. Nurses should NOT practice ethnocentrism.

Ethnocentrism

Cathy Parkes

Ethnocentrism: The belief that one's own culture is superior to all others. View world from their own cultural viewpoint. Nurses should NOT practice ethnocentrism.

Expected labs with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF) antibody and Positive ANA titer.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expected Labs

Cathy Parkes

Expected labs with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF) antibody and Positive ANA titer.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expected Labs

Cathy Parkes

Expected labs with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF) antibody and Positive ANA titer.

Enterobiasis (pinworm) is likely to cause a child intense perianal itching which is worse at night

Enterobiasis (pinworm)

Cathy Parkes

Enterobiasis (pinworm) is likely to cause a child intense perianal itching which is worse at night

Enterobiasis (pinworm)

Cathy Parkes

Enterobiasis (pinworm) is likely to cause a child intense perianal itching which is worse at night

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin carry a black box warning for tendon rupture. This is a unique side effect that is important to remember!

Fluoroquinolones

Cathy Parkes

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin carry a black box warning for tendon rupture. This is a unique side effect that is important to remember!

Fluoroquinolones

Cathy Parkes

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin carry a black box warning for tendon rupture. This is a unique side effect that is important to remember!

If a patient is choosing to leave the hospital before recommended discharge, notify the provider, have the patient sign an "Against Medical Advice" (AMA) form, and remove any IV catheters. Do NOT call security!

Early Patient Discharge

Cathy Parkes

If a patient is choosing to leave the hospital before recommended discharge, notify the provider, have the patient sign an "Against Medical Advice" (AMA) form, and remove any IV catheters....

Early Patient Discharge

Cathy Parkes

If a patient is choosing to leave the hospital before recommended discharge, notify the provider, have the patient sign an "Against Medical Advice" (AMA) form, and remove any IV catheters....

Educate families that an emollient (e.g., baby oil) may be placed on areas of an infant's scalp affected by cradle cap.

Cradle Cap: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate families that an emollient (e.g., baby oil) may be placed on areas of an infant's scalp affected by cradle cap. 

Cradle Cap: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate families that an emollient (e.g., baby oil) may be placed on areas of an infant's scalp affected by cradle cap. 

Aldosterone increases blood pressure and blood volume by promoting renal reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water!) and excretion of potassium.

Aldosterone

Cathy Parkes

Aldosterone increases blood pressure and blood volume by promoting renal reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water!) and excretion of potassium.

Aldosterone

Cathy Parkes

Aldosterone increases blood pressure and blood volume by promoting renal reabsorption of sodium (and therefore water!) and excretion of potassium.

For a patient wishing to suppress lactation, encourage the use of a supportive bra for 72 hours after delivery.

Suppressing Lactation: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

For a patient wishing to suppress lactation, encourage the use of a supportive bra for 72 hours after delivery.

Suppressing Lactation: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

For a patient wishing to suppress lactation, encourage the use of a supportive bra for 72 hours after delivery.

Ensure vegetarians get sufficient protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Vegetarian Diet: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Ensure vegetarians get sufficient protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Vegetarian Diet: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Ensure vegetarians get sufficient protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Educate families of children diagnosed with lice (pediculosis capitis) that the whole family should be examined and treated.

Lice: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate families of children diagnosed with lice (pediculosis capitis) that the whole family should be examined and treated.

1 comment

Lice: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate families of children diagnosed with lice (pediculosis capitis) that the whole family should be examined and treated.

1 comment
Culturally competent care begins with identifying your own cultural beliefs and values!

Culturally Competent Care

Cathy Parkes

Culturally competent care begins with identifying your own cultural beliefs and values!

Culturally Competent Care

Cathy Parkes

Culturally competent care begins with identifying your own cultural beliefs and values!

When it comes to lactation, prolactin is responsible for causing milk production, while oxytocin controls the release of milk from the breasts through the "letdown reflex."

Lactation

Cathy Parkes

When it comes to lactation, prolactin is responsible for causing milk production, while oxytocin controls the release of milk from the breasts through the "letdown reflex."

Lactation

Cathy Parkes

When it comes to lactation, prolactin is responsible for causing milk production, while oxytocin controls the release of milk from the breasts through the "letdown reflex."

Educate patients that in order to lose one pound per week, they should decrease daily caloric intake by 500.

Weight Loss: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients that in order to lose one pound per week, they should decrease daily caloric intake by 500.

Weight Loss: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients that in order to lose one pound per week, they should decrease daily caloric intake by 500.