Nursing Tips (579)

When caring for a restrained patient, a new order is required every 24 hours.

Caring for a restrained patient

Cathy Parkes

When caring for a restrained patient, a new order is required every 24 hours.

Caring for a restrained patient

Cathy Parkes

When caring for a restrained patient, a new order is required every 24 hours.

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs) may perform hygiene, bathing, CPR, patient ambulation, routine vital signs, and charting of I&Os.

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs)

Cathy Parkes

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs) may perform hygiene, bathing, CPR, patient ambulation, routine vital signs, and charting of I&Os. 

1 comment

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs)

Cathy Parkes

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs) may perform hygiene, bathing, CPR, patient ambulation, routine vital signs, and charting of I&Os. 

1 comment
Some important nationally notifiable diseases include anthrax, botulism, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Lyme disease, meningococcal disease, pertussis, syphilis, and tuberculosis.

Nationally Notifiable Diseases

Cathy Parkes

Some important nationally notifiable diseases include anthrax, botulism, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Lyme disease, meningococcal disease, pertussis, syphilis, and tuberculosis.

Nationally Notifiable Diseases

Cathy Parkes

Some important nationally notifiable diseases include anthrax, botulism, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Lyme disease, meningococcal disease, pertussis, syphilis, and tuberculosis.

An ethics committee is an interdisciplinary team that may be used to provide guidance in the face of an ethical dilemma.

Ethics Committee

Cathy Parkes

An ethics committee is an interdisciplinary team that may be used to provide guidance in the face of an ethical dilemma. 

Ethics Committee

Cathy Parkes

An ethics committee is an interdisciplinary team that may be used to provide guidance in the face of an ethical dilemma. 

Vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy, and it causes swollen/bleeding gums, tooth loss, and poor wound healing.

Scurvy

Cathy Parkes

Vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy, and it causes swollen/bleeding gums, tooth loss, and poor wound healing. 

Scurvy

Cathy Parkes

Vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy, and it causes swollen/bleeding gums, tooth loss, and poor wound healing. 

An occupational health nurse provides screening, surveillance, and education to prevent workplace illness and injury.

Occupational Health Nurse

Cathy Parkes

An occupational health nurse provides screening, surveillance, and education to prevent workplace illness and injury.

Occupational Health Nurse

Cathy Parkes

An occupational health nurse provides screening, surveillance, and education to prevent workplace illness and injury.

The oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI) is marked by urine output less than 400 mL/day. In the diuresis phase of AKI, urine output can reach 4 - 5 L/day.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) : Oliguric Phase

Cathy Parkes

The oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI) is marked by urine output less than 400 mL/day. In the diuresis phase of AKI, urine output can reach 4 - 5...

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) : Oliguric Phase

Cathy Parkes

The oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI) is marked by urine output less than 400 mL/day. In the diuresis phase of AKI, urine output can reach 4 - 5...

Do not wait until the end of the shift to document. Instead, complete charting as soon as possible after performing a task or procedure.

Documentation

Cathy Parkes

Do not wait until the end of the shift to document. Instead, complete charting as soon as possible after performing a task or procedure.

Documentation

Cathy Parkes

Do not wait until the end of the shift to document. Instead, complete charting as soon as possible after performing a task or procedure.

After a tonic-clonic seizure, a patient enters the "postictal phase," and may exhibit confusion, sleepiness, or agitation.

Tonic-clonic Seizure

Cathy Parkes

After a tonic-clonic seizure, a patient enters the "postictal phase," and may exhibit confusion, sleepiness, or agitation.

Tonic-clonic Seizure

Cathy Parkes

After a tonic-clonic seizure, a patient enters the "postictal phase," and may exhibit confusion, sleepiness, or agitation.

If a patient is on seizure precautions, pad the bed side rails, and ensure oxygen, suction, and vital signs equipment is in the patient's room.

Seizure Precautions

Cathy Parkes

If a patient is on seizure precautions, pad the bed side rails, and ensure oxygen, suction, and vital signs equipment is in the patient's room.

Seizure Precautions

Cathy Parkes

If a patient is on seizure precautions, pad the bed side rails, and ensure oxygen, suction, and vital signs equipment is in the patient's room.

Key nursing interventions for patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Provide frequent reorientation; Provide consistency with caretakers; Keep communication short, simple, and clear.

Alzheimer's Disease Key Interventions

Cathy Parkes

Key nursing interventions for Alzheimer's Disease: Provide frequent reorientation, consistency with caretakers; Keep communication short, simple, and clear.

Alzheimer's Disease Key Interventions

Cathy Parkes

Key nursing interventions for Alzheimer's Disease: Provide frequent reorientation, consistency with caretakers; Keep communication short, simple, and clear.

Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease which may be used as a bioterrorism agent. It can be treated with antitoxins and antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, ciprofloxacin).

Anthrax

Cathy Parkes

Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease which may be used as a bioterrorism agent. It can be treated with antitoxins and antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, ciprofloxacin).

Anthrax

Cathy Parkes

Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease which may be used as a bioterrorism agent. It can be treated with antitoxins and antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, ciprofloxacin).

An epidemic describes an increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population or area.

Epidemic

Cathy Parkes

An epidemic describes an increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population or area.

Epidemic

Cathy Parkes

An epidemic describes an increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population or area.

A patient with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) experiences rapid but disorganized depolarization of the atria, causing them to quiver instead of fully squeezing.

Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

Cathy Parkes

A patient with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) experiences rapid but disorganized depolarization of the atria, causing them to quiver instead of fully squeezing. 

Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

Cathy Parkes

A patient with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) experiences rapid but disorganized depolarization of the atria, causing them to quiver instead of fully squeezing. 

QD or Q.D. is an abbreviation meaning "daily."

QD & Q.D.: Error-Prone Abbreviations

Cathy Parkes

QD or Q.D. is an abbreviation meaning "daily." However, it is an error-prone abbreviation as it may be confused with QOD (every other day) or QID (four times a day). Instead,...

QD & Q.D.: Error-Prone Abbreviations

Cathy Parkes

QD or Q.D. is an abbreviation meaning "daily." However, it is an error-prone abbreviation as it may be confused with QOD (every other day) or QID (four times a day). Instead,...

Disaster preparedness involves planning, training, and providing education for unavoidable disasters.

Disaster Preparedness

Cathy Parkes

Disaster preparedness involves planning, training, and providing education for unavoidable disasters.

Disaster Preparedness

Cathy Parkes

Disaster preparedness involves planning, training, and providing education for unavoidable disasters.

A patient with fibrocystic breast changes may experience breast pain and/or movable, tender, rubber-like cysts in the upper outer quadrant of the breast.

Fibrocystic Breast Changes: Patient Education

Cathy Parkes

A patient with fibrocystic breast changes may experience breast pain and/or movable, tender, rubber-like cysts in the upper outer quadrant of the breast.

Fibrocystic Breast Changes: Patient Education

Cathy Parkes

A patient with fibrocystic breast changes may experience breast pain and/or movable, tender, rubber-like cysts in the upper outer quadrant of the breast.

An employee who is chemically-impaired while on the job should be immediately removed from the work setting, provided safe transportation home, and should attend a formal meeting to discuss the incident within 24 hours.

Chemically-impaired Employee

Cathy Parkes

An employee who is chemically-impaired while on the job should be immediately removed from the work setting, provided safe transportation home, and should attend a formal meeting to discuss the...

Chemically-impaired Employee

Cathy Parkes

An employee who is chemically-impaired while on the job should be immediately removed from the work setting, provided safe transportation home, and should attend a formal meeting to discuss the...

Determinants of health include environmental factors (e.g., access to healthy food, pollution, public safety) and social factors (e.g., racism, support systems, education).

Determinants of Health

Cathy Parkes

Determinants of health include environmental factors (e.g., access to healthy food, pollution, public safety) and social factors (e.g., racism, support systems, education).

Determinants of Health

Cathy Parkes

Determinants of health include environmental factors (e.g., access to healthy food, pollution, public safety) and social factors (e.g., racism, support systems, education).

A patient with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm may have a pulsating abdominal mass with a bruit. Do NOT palpate this due to the risk for rupture!

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Cathy Parkes

A patient with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm may have a pulsating abdominal mass with a bruit. Do NOT palpate this due to the risk for rupture!

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Cathy Parkes

A patient with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm may have a pulsating abdominal mass with a bruit. Do NOT palpate this due to the risk for rupture!

Migrant Workers: Increased Risks - LevelUpRN

Migrant Workers: Increased Risks

Cathy Parkes

Migrant workers are at increased risk for work-related injuries, pesticide/chemical exposure, skin cancer, dermatitis, communicable disease, and dental problems.

Migrant Workers: Increased Risks

Cathy Parkes

Migrant workers are at increased risk for work-related injuries, pesticide/chemical exposure, skin cancer, dermatitis, communicable disease, and dental problems.

Positional plagiocephaly is cranial asymmetry caused by prolonged pressure on one side of the skull. A child with this diagnosis may require helmet therapy, where a custom-made helmet is worn up to 23 hours per day for ~ 3 months.

Positional Plagiocephaly

Cathy Parkes

Positional plagiocephaly is cranial asymmetry caused by prolonged pressure on one side of the skull. A child with this diagnosis may require helmet therapy, where a custom-made helmet is worn...

Positional Plagiocephaly

Cathy Parkes

Positional plagiocephaly is cranial asymmetry caused by prolonged pressure on one side of the skull. A child with this diagnosis may require helmet therapy, where a custom-made helmet is worn...

A patient with sinus bradycardia will likely require no treatment. However, if they are symptomatic, treatment with atropine or a pacemaker may be indicated.

Sinus Bradycardia

Cathy Parkes

A patient with sinus bradycardia will likely require no treatment. However, if they are symptomatic, treatment with atropine or a pacemaker may be indicated.

Sinus Bradycardia

Cathy Parkes

A patient with sinus bradycardia will likely require no treatment. However, if they are symptomatic, treatment with atropine or a pacemaker may be indicated.

Although most older adults do experience some decline in cognitive function, dementia is not an expected part of aging!

Dementia

Cathy Parkes

Although most older adults do experience some decline in cognitive function, dementia is not an expected part of aging!

Dementia

Cathy Parkes

Although most older adults do experience some decline in cognitive function, dementia is not an expected part of aging!

Edema is documented by the depth of the indentation left by pressing a finger over the edematous area. A score of 0 means there is no clinical edema.

Edema Scoring

Cathy Parkes

Edema is documented by the depth of the indentation left by pressing a finger over the edematous area. A score of 0 means there is no pitting edema.

Edema Scoring

Cathy Parkes

Edema is documented by the depth of the indentation left by pressing a finger over the edematous area. A score of 0 means there is no pitting edema.

During sterile field preparation, open the top flap away from your body first. Then open the flap on the right side using the right hand, and the left side using the left hand. Lastly, open the final flap towards your body.

Sterile Field Preparation

Cathy Parkes

During sterile field preparation, open the top flap away from your body first. Then open the flap on the right side using the right hand, and the left side using...

Sterile Field Preparation

Cathy Parkes

During sterile field preparation, open the top flap away from your body first. Then open the flap on the right side using the right hand, and the left side using...

A patient with hyperpituitarism may require surgical treatment with a hypophysectomy.

Hyperpituitarism

Cathy Parkes

A patient with hyperpituitarism may require surgical treatment with a hypophysectomy. 

Hyperpituitarism

Cathy Parkes

A patient with hyperpituitarism may require surgical treatment with a hypophysectomy. 

Educate patients that canes should be held on the strong side with the handle at the level of the wrist.

Canes: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients that canes should be held on the strong side with the handle at the level of the wrist.

Canes: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients that canes should be held on the strong side with the handle at the level of the wrist.

Bethanechol, used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention, stimulates cholinergic receptors

Bethanechol

Cathy Parkes

Bethanechol, used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention, stimulates cholinergic receptors

Bethanechol

Cathy Parkes

Bethanechol, used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention, stimulates cholinergic receptors

Sundowning is a common finding in Alzheimer's Disease, which is increased confusion or agitation in the evening.

Sundowning

Cathy Parkes

Sundowning is a common finding in Alzheimer's Disease, which is increased confusion or agitation in the evening.

Sundowning

Cathy Parkes

Sundowning is a common finding in Alzheimer's Disease, which is increased confusion or agitation in the evening.

A patient with paradoxical pulse and an EKG showing electrical alternans should be evaluated for cardiac tamponade.

Cardiac Tamponade

Cathy Parkes

A patient with paradoxical pulse and an EKG showing electrical alternans should be evaluated for cardiac tamponade.

Cardiac Tamponade

Cathy Parkes

A patient with paradoxical pulse and an EKG showing electrical alternans should be evaluated for cardiac tamponade.

After emptying a closed drain (e.g., Jackson-Pratt, Hemovac), fully compress the canister and replace cap in order to ensure negative pressure is applied to the area.

Closed Drain: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

After emptying a closed drain (e.g., Jackson-Pratt, Hemovac), fully compress the canister and replace cap in order to ensure negative pressure is applied to the area.

Closed Drain: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

After emptying a closed drain (e.g., Jackson-Pratt, Hemovac), fully compress the canister and replace cap in order to ensure negative pressure is applied to the area.

Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear/Acoustic) function can be assessed with the whisper test, Rinne test, and/or Weber test.

Cranial Nerve VIII Function Assessment

Cathy Parkes

Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear/Acoustic) function can be assessed with the whisper test, Rinne test, and/or Weber test.

Cranial Nerve VIII Function Assessment

Cathy Parkes

Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear/Acoustic) function can be assessed with the whisper test, Rinne test, and/or Weber test.

A pressure wound base which is covered in slough or eschar is considered to be unstageable.

Unstageable Pressure Wound

Cathy Parkes

A pressure wound base which is covered in slough or eschar is considered to be unstageable.

Unstageable Pressure Wound

Cathy Parkes

A pressure wound base which is covered in slough or eschar is considered to be unstageable.

Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.

Atropine: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.

1 comment

Atropine: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.

1 comment
Lordosis (excessive curvature of the lumbar spine) is a common finding in pregnancy and in toddlers.

Lordosis, Kyphosis, and Scoliosis

Cathy Parkes

Lordosis (excessive curvature of the lumbar spine) is a common finding in pregnancy and in toddlers. Kyphosis (excessive curvature of the thoracic spine) is a common finding in the older...

Lordosis, Kyphosis, and Scoliosis

Cathy Parkes

Lordosis (excessive curvature of the lumbar spine) is a common finding in pregnancy and in toddlers. Kyphosis (excessive curvature of the thoracic spine) is a common finding in the older...

A patient with a tension pneumothorax is likely to have tracheal deviation towards the unaffected side. Assess respiratory status in any patient with this finding!

Tension Pneumothorax

Cathy Parkes

A patient with a tension pneumothorax is likely to have tracheal deviation towards the unaffected side. Assess respiratory status in any patient with this finding!

Tension Pneumothorax

Cathy Parkes

A patient with a tension pneumothorax is likely to have tracheal deviation towards the unaffected side. Assess respiratory status in any patient with this finding!

An aggregate is a subgroup or population that share characteristics or concerns (e.g., LGBT+ residents of the same neighborhood).

What is an Aggregate?

Cathy Parkes

An aggregate is a subgroup or population that share characteristics or concerns (e.g., LGBT+ residents of the same neighborhood).

What is an Aggregate?

Cathy Parkes

An aggregate is a subgroup or population that share characteristics or concerns (e.g., LGBT+ residents of the same neighborhood).

A patient taking ethambutol for tuberculosis should be educated to have regular vision screenings and report changes in vision to the prescriber.

Ethambutol: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

A patient taking ethambutol for tuberculosis should be educated to have regular vision screenings and report changes in vision to the prescriber.

Ethambutol: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

A patient taking ethambutol for tuberculosis should be educated to have regular vision screenings and report changes in vision to the prescriber.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory) can be assessed by asking the patient to identify a scent (e.g., soap, coffee) while occluding one nostril at a time.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory) Assessment

Cathy Parkes

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory) can be assessed by asking the patient to identify a scent (e.g., soap, coffee) while occluding one nostril at a time.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory) Assessment

Cathy Parkes

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory) can be assessed by asking the patient to identify a scent (e.g., soap, coffee) while occluding one nostril at a time.

For patients with hearing loss, decrease background noise, face the patient, do not shout, and rephrase (but do not repeat) if they do not understand.

Hearing Loss: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

For patients with hearing loss, decrease background noise, face the patient, do not shout, and rephrase (but do not repeat) if they do not understand.

Hearing Loss: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

For patients with hearing loss, decrease background noise, face the patient, do not shout, and rephrase (but do not repeat) if they do not understand.

A patient with elevated hBNP (> 100 pg/mL) should be evaluated for Heart Failure.

Elevated hBNP

Cathy Parkes

A patient with elevated hBNP (> 100 pg/mL) should be evaluated for Heart Failure.

Elevated hBNP

Cathy Parkes

A patient with elevated hBNP (> 100 pg/mL) should be evaluated for Heart Failure.

Assessing Bowel Sounds - LevelUpRN

Assessing Bowel Sounds

Cathy Parkes

Bowel sounds cannot be called "absent" until the nurse has listened for five minutes without hearing bowel activity.

Assessing Bowel Sounds

Cathy Parkes

Bowel sounds cannot be called "absent" until the nurse has listened for five minutes without hearing bowel activity.

The most common seizure disorder in children is febrile seizures.

Febrile Seizures

Cathy Parkes

The most common seizure disorder in children is febrile seizures.

Febrile Seizures

Cathy Parkes

The most common seizure disorder in children is febrile seizures.

Because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, monitor the patient for signs of hyperkalemia. Educate patients to avoid salt substitutes, as most of these contain potassium.

Spironolactone

Cathy Parkes

Because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, monitor the patient for signs of hyperkalemia. Educate patients to avoid salt substitutes, as most of these contain potassium.

Spironolactone

Cathy Parkes

Because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, monitor the patient for signs of hyperkalemia. Educate patients to avoid salt substitutes, as most of these contain potassium.

Food deserts are geographic areas that lack sufficient access to grocery stores and healthy food options.

Food Deserts

Cathy Parkes

Food deserts are geographic areas that lack sufficient access to grocery stores and healthy food options.

Food Deserts

Cathy Parkes

Food deserts are geographic areas that lack sufficient access to grocery stores and healthy food options.

For patients with eating disorders, the nurse should stay with them during meals and for at least an hour following.

Eating Disorders

Cathy Parkes

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory measures to avoid weight gain (e.g., vomiting, laxative use, extreme exercise). Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by...

Eating Disorders

Cathy Parkes

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory measures to avoid weight gain (e.g., vomiting, laxative use, extreme exercise). Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by...

All assessments should involve identifying the patient with two patient identifiers (e.g., name, DOB, MRN#). Remember: room number is NOT a valid patient identifier!

Patient Identifiers

Cathy Parkes

All assessments should involve identifying the patient with two patient identifiers (e.g., name, DOB, MRN#). Remember: room number is NOT a valid patient identifier!

Patient Identifiers

Cathy Parkes

All assessments should involve identifying the patient with two patient identifiers (e.g., name, DOB, MRN#). Remember: room number is NOT a valid patient identifier!