Nursing Tips (614)

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists and DINE-ing

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists and DINE-ing

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (ex: ranitidine and famotidine) are used to treat ulcers and GERD. These meds will help you feel better when you "dine".

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists and DINE-ing

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (ex: ranitidine and famotidine) are used to treat ulcers and GERD. These meds will help you feel better when you "dine".

Try less invasive interventions first

Try less invasive interventions first

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Always try LESS invasive interventions FIRST. Example: Move a patient at risk for falls to a room near the nursing station vs. placing restraints.

Try less invasive interventions first

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Always try LESS invasive interventions FIRST. Example: Move a patient at risk for falls to a room near the nursing station vs. placing restraints.

Prioritizing Typical Diagnoses

Prioritizing Typical Diagnoses

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Patients with EXPECTED findings for their diagnosis are typically NOT the priority. Examples: COPD patient with spO2 of 90% Stroke patient with facial drooping MS patient with ataxia

Prioritizing Typical Diagnoses

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Patients with EXPECTED findings for their diagnosis are typically NOT the priority. Examples: COPD patient with spO2 of 90% Stroke patient with facial drooping MS patient with ataxia

Assess before action

Assess before action

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Always ASSESS before taking ACTION. Ex: If a patient has dyspnea, check their O2 saturation and listen to breath sounds BEFORE notifying the provider.

Assess before action

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Always ASSESS before taking ACTION. Ex: If a patient has dyspnea, check their O2 saturation and listen to breath sounds BEFORE notifying the provider.

Incident Reports

Incident Reports

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Incident reports should NOT be part of the patient's chart, and incident reports should NOT be referenced in the patient's chart.

Incident Reports

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Incident reports should NOT be part of the patient's chart, and incident reports should NOT be referenced in the patient's chart.

Preventing falls

Preventing falls

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Preventing falls: Do not place all 4 bed rails UP for patient who try to get out of bed on their own.

Preventing falls

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Preventing falls: Do not place all 4 bed rails UP for patient who try to get out of bed on their own.

Home safety interventions for Alzheimer's patients

Home safety interventions for Alzheimer's patients

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

KEY home safety interventions for Alzheimer's patients: NO scatter rugs, do have door locks, mark step edges with colored tape, place the mattress on the floor.

Home safety interventions for Alzheimer's patients

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

KEY home safety interventions for Alzheimer's patients: NO scatter rugs, do have door locks, mark step edges with colored tape, place the mattress on the floor.

Priority for Patients with Depression

Priority for Patients with Depression

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If a patient has depression, your PRIORITY is to assess the patient's risk of suicide and implement 1:1 observation if indicated.

Priority for Patients with Depression

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If a patient has depression, your PRIORITY is to assess the patient's risk of suicide and implement 1:1 observation if indicated.

Signs/Symptoms of PTSD

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Signs/Symptoms of PTSD: flashbacks, distressing dreams, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, detachment from others, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, feeling of guilt, and negative self-image.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Signs/Symptoms of PTSD: flashbacks, distressing dreams, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, detachment from others, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, feeling of guilt, and negative self-image.

Transference vs. Countertransference:  Transference: Patient views nurse as being similar to an important person in his/her life.  Countertransference: Patient reminds the nurse of someone in his/her life.

Transference vs. Countertransference

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Transference vs. Countertransference: Transference: Patient views nurse as being similar to an important person in his/her life. Countertransference: Patient reminds the nurse of someone in his/her life.

Transference vs. Countertransference

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Transference vs. Countertransference: Transference: Patient views nurse as being similar to an important person in his/her life. Countertransference: Patient reminds the nurse of someone in his/her life.

Suspicion of Abuse

Suspicion of Abuse

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Nurses are required to report suspicion of abuse.  You do not need to gather more information or provide proof.

Suspicion of Abuse

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Nurses are required to report suspicion of abuse.  You do not need to gather more information or provide proof.

Oral Iron Supplements

Oral Iron Supplements

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Oral iron supplements can cause teeth staining!  Administer with a straw.

Oral Iron Supplements

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Oral iron supplements can cause teeth staining!  Administer with a straw.

Hemolysis

Hemolysis

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If an Rh-negative person receives Rh-positive blood, it will cause hemolysis—destruction of RBCs (red blood cells)!

Hemolysis

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If an Rh-negative person receives Rh-positive blood, it will cause hemolysis—destruction of RBCs (red blood cells)!

What blood type can receive what blood type?

What blood type can receive what blood type?

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know what types each blood type can receive: Type O: Can receive O Type A: Can receive A and O Type B: Can receive B and O Type AB: Can receive  A, B,...

What blood type can receive what blood type?

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know what types each blood type can receive: Type O: Can receive O Type A: Can receive A and O Type B: Can receive B and O Type AB: Can receive  A, B,...

Administering misoprostol

Administering misoprostol

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When administering a misoprostol (for prevention of gastric ulcers) to a person of child-bearing age, be sure to run a PREGNANCY test first as this medication can cause a miscarriage!

Administering misoprostol

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When administering a misoprostol (for prevention of gastric ulcers) to a person of child-bearing age, be sure to run a PREGNANCY test first as this medication can cause a miscarriage!

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).

What to Do if You Suspect Epiglottitis

What to Do if You Suspect Epiglottitis

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If you suspect that a patient has epiglottitis, DO NOT take a throat culture or place a tongue blade in the patient's mouth!

What to Do if You Suspect Epiglottitis

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

If you suspect that a patient has epiglottitis, DO NOT take a throat culture or place a tongue blade in the patient's mouth!

Major Risk Factor for Reye's Syndrome

Major Risk Factor for Reye's Syndrome

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Major risk factor for Reye's syndrome: Use of aspirin to treat fever associated with a viral infection.

Major Risk Factor for Reye's Syndrome

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Major risk factor for Reye's syndrome: Use of aspirin to treat fever associated with a viral infection.

Meds that Promote Alcohol Abstinence

Meds that Promote Alcohol Abstinence

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Meds that promote alcohol abstinence: disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate. These meds are NOT used during alcohol withdrawal!

Meds that Promote Alcohol Abstinence

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Meds that promote alcohol abstinence: disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate. These meds are NOT used during alcohol withdrawal!

Lithium Side Effects vs. Toxicity

Lithium Side Effects vs. Toxicity

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Lithium: fine hand tremors are an EXPECTED side effect, coarse hand tremors indicate TOXICITY.

Lithium Side Effects vs. Toxicity

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Lithium: fine hand tremors are an EXPECTED side effect, coarse hand tremors indicate TOXICITY.

SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome

SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

For patients taking SSRIs, watch for serotonin syndrome! Symptoms: agitation, hallucinations, fever, diaphoresis, tremors.

SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

For patients taking SSRIs, watch for serotonin syndrome! Symptoms: agitation, hallucinations, fever, diaphoresis, tremors.

Informed Consent

Informed Consent

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

In order to give informed consent, a patient must be an unimpaired adult (ex: no drugs, alcohol, hallucinations) or an emancipated minor.

Informed Consent

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

In order to give informed consent, a patient must be an unimpaired adult (ex: no drugs, alcohol, hallucinations) or an emancipated minor.

Signs of abuse in children

Signs of abuse in children

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Signs of abuse in children: bruising in unusual locations (bruising on arms/legs expected!), bruising in different stages of healing, forearm spiral fractures.

Signs of abuse in children

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Signs of abuse in children: bruising in unusual locations (bruising on arms/legs expected!), bruising in different stages of healing, forearm spiral fractures.

Patients in a crisis

Patients in a crisis

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When assisting a patient with a crisis, be sure to ask him/her about past ways of coping.

Patients in a crisis

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When assisting a patient with a crisis, be sure to ask him/her about past ways of coping.

Electro convulsive therapy

Electro convulsive therapy

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Short-term memory loss is EXPECTED after electroconvulsive therapy.

Electro convulsive therapy

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Short-term memory loss is EXPECTED after electroconvulsive therapy.

Older adult home safety

Older adult home safety

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When assessing HOME safety for older adults, it is important to remove scatter rugs!

Older adult home safety

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When assessing HOME safety for older adults, it is important to remove scatter rugs!

How to treat a seizure

How to treat a seizure

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

During a seizure, turn the patient to his/her side, loosen restrictive clothing, and DO NOT insert airway or restrain patient.

How to treat a seizure

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

During a seizure, turn the patient to his/her side, loosen restrictive clothing, and DO NOT insert airway or restrain patient.

Bone loss and aging

Bone loss and aging

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Bone loss begins at 35 years old. In order to prevent osteoporosis, individuals should engage in weight-bearing exercises. FYI - swimming is NOT weight-bearing.

Bone loss and aging

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Bone loss begins at 35 years old. In order to prevent osteoporosis, individuals should engage in weight-bearing exercises. FYI - swimming is NOT weight-bearing.

Choking hazard foods

Choking hazard foods

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

The following foods pose a choking hazard for small children: popcorn, raisins, peanuts, grapes, raw carrots, hotdogs, celery, peanut butter, candy, tough meat.

Choking hazard foods

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

The following foods pose a choking hazard for small children: popcorn, raisins, peanuts, grapes, raw carrots, hotdogs, celery, peanut butter, candy, tough meat.

BMI ranges to learn

BMI ranges to learn

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know your BMI ranges: <18.5 = underweight, 18.5-24.9 = healthy, 25-29.9 = overweight, 30 or more = obese.

BMI ranges to learn

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know your BMI ranges: <18.5 = underweight, 18.5-24.9 = healthy, 25-29.9 = overweight, 30 or more = obese.

Albumin and prealbumin

Albumin and prealbumin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When evaluating a patient's nutritional status, be sure to check: albumin (normal range: 3.5-5) and prealbumin levels (normal range 15-36).

Albumin and prealbumin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When evaluating a patient's nutritional status, be sure to check: albumin (normal range: 3.5-5) and prealbumin levels (normal range 15-36).

Folic acid and pregnancy

Folic acid and pregnancy

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Folic acid is SUPER important during pregnancy because it helps to prevent neural tube defects.

Folic acid and pregnancy

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Folic acid is SUPER important during pregnancy because it helps to prevent neural tube defects.

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....

Mucositis (related to chemotherapy)

Mucositis (related to chemotherapy)

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

For patients who suffer mucositis (related to chemotherapy): Avoid glycerin or alcohol containing mouthwashes!!

Mucositis (related to chemotherapy)

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

For patients who suffer mucositis (related to chemotherapy): Avoid glycerin or alcohol containing mouthwashes!!

Food interactions

Food interactions

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When in doubt regarding a question or food interaction with a medication, grapefruit juice is usually a safe bet!

Food interactions

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When in doubt regarding a question or food interaction with a medication, grapefruit juice is usually a safe bet!