Nursing Tips

Cardiovascular (58)

Warfarin

Warfarin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Warfarin is an important oral anticoagulant. The mode of action of warfarin is the antagonize vitamin K, which prevents formation of several clotting factors. HINT: Warfarin declares WAR on vitamin...

Warfarin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Warfarin is an important oral anticoagulant. The mode of action of warfarin is the antagonize vitamin K, which prevents formation of several clotting factors. HINT: Warfarin declares WAR on vitamin...

BP Cuffs

BP Cuffs

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Blood pressure cuffs: If the cuff is too large, you will get a falsely low reading. If the cuff is too small, you will get a falsely high reading.

BP Cuffs

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Blood pressure cuffs: If the cuff is too large, you will get a falsely low reading. If the cuff is too small, you will get a falsely high reading.

Thrombolytic Meds

Thrombolytic Meds

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Thrombolytic meds include: alteplase, reteplase (many end in -plase). If you are trying to break up a clot, you have come to the right PLACE!

Thrombolytic Meds

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Thrombolytic meds include: alteplase, reteplase (many end in -plase). If you are trying to break up a clot, you have come to the right PLACE!

Apical Pulse

Apical Pulse

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Apical pulse is taken at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.

Apical Pulse

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Apical pulse is taken at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.

Rivaroxaban

Rivaroxaban

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Rivaroxaban is an anticoagulant. HINT: If you take Rivaroxaban, your blood will flow like a river. RivaroXaban works by inhibiting factor Xa in the coagulation cascade.

Rivaroxaban

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Rivaroxaban is an anticoagulant. HINT: If you take Rivaroxaban, your blood will flow like a river. RivaroXaban works by inhibiting factor Xa in the coagulation cascade.

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants: Vitamin K for warfarin, Protamine for Heparin.

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants: Vitamin K for warfarin, Protamine for Heparin.

Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin

Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic INR is 2-3 for patients receiving warfarin.

Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic INR is 2-3 for patients receiving warfarin.

Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin

Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5-2 times baseline (baseline = 30-40 sec) for patients receiving Heparin.

Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5-2 times baseline (baseline = 30-40 sec) for patients receiving Heparin.

Major Risk Factor for Rheumatic Fever

Major Risk Factor for Rheumatic Fever

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Major risk factor for rheumatic fever: untreated or partially treated upper respiratory infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS).

Major Risk Factor for Rheumatic Fever

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Major risk factor for rheumatic fever: untreated or partially treated upper respiratory infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS).

Blood transfusion reaction

Blood transfusion reaction

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If a patient has a blood transfusion reaction: stop the transfusion, infuse 0.9% NACL through a separate line, and be sure to send the blood bag back to the lab....

Blood transfusion reaction

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If a patient has a blood transfusion reaction: stop the transfusion, infuse 0.9% NACL through a separate line, and be sure to send the blood bag back to the lab....