Nursing Tips (659)
Canes: Patient Teaching
Educate patients that canes should be held on the strong side with the handle at the level of the wrist.
Canes: Patient Teaching
Educate patients that canes should be held on the strong side with the handle at the level of the wrist.
Bethanechol
Bethanechol, used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention, stimulates cholinergic receptors
Bethanechol
Bethanechol, used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention, stimulates cholinergic receptors
Sundowning
Sundowning is a common finding in Alzheimer's Disease, which is increased confusion or agitation in the evening.
Sundowning
Sundowning is a common finding in Alzheimer's Disease, which is increased confusion or agitation in the evening.
Cardiac Tamponade
A patient with paradoxical pulse and an EKG showing electrical alternans should be evaluated for cardiac tamponade.
Cardiac Tamponade
A patient with paradoxical pulse and an EKG showing electrical alternans should be evaluated for cardiac tamponade.
Closed Drain: Nursing Care
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
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 Function Assessment
Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear/Acoustic) function can be assessed with the whisper test, Rinne test, and/or Weber test.
Cranial Nerve VIII Function Assessment
Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear/Acoustic) function can be assessed with the whisper test, Rinne test, and/or Weber test.
Unstageable Pressure Wound
A pressure wound base which is covered in slough or eschar is considered to be unstageable.
Unstageable Pressure Wound
A pressure wound base which is covered in slough or eschar is considered to be unstageable.
Atropine: Nursing Care
Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.
Atropine: Nursing Care
Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.
Lordosis, Kyphosis, and Scoliosis
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
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...
Tension Pneumothorax
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
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!
What is an Aggregate?
An aggregate is a subgroup or population that share characteristics or concerns (e.g., LGBT+ residents of the same neighborhood).
What is an Aggregate?
An aggregate is a subgroup or population that share characteristics or concerns (e.g., LGBT+ residents of the same neighborhood).
Ethambutol: Patient Teaching
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
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) Assessment
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
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.
Hearing Loss: Nursing Care
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
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.
Elevated hBNP
A patient with elevated hBNP (> 100 pg/mL) should be evaluated for Heart Failure.
Elevated hBNP
A patient with elevated hBNP (> 100 pg/mL) should be evaluated for Heart Failure.
Assessing Bowel Sounds
Bowel sounds cannot be called "absent" until the nurse has listened for five minutes without hearing bowel activity.
Assessing Bowel Sounds
Bowel sounds cannot be called "absent" until the nurse has listened for five minutes without hearing bowel activity.
Febrile Seizures
The most common seizure disorder in children is febrile seizures.
Febrile Seizures
The most common seizure disorder in children is febrile seizures.
Spironolactone
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
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
Food deserts are geographic areas that lack sufficient access to grocery stores and healthy food options.
Food Deserts
Food deserts are geographic areas that lack sufficient access to grocery stores and healthy food options.
Eating Disorders
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
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...
Patient Identifiers
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
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!
Calcium Ranges
Calcium (Ca) expected range: 9 - 10.5 mEq/L HINT: California (CA) is due for a big earthquake that may measure 9 - 10.5 on the Richter scale.
Calcium Ranges
Calcium (Ca) expected range: 9 - 10.5 mEq/L HINT: California (CA) is due for a big earthquake that may measure 9 - 10.5 on the Richter scale.
Filgrastim
Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of neutrophils in patients with neutropenia.
Filgrastim
Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of neutrophils in patients with neutropenia.
Long-bone Fractures
A patient who experienced a long-bone fracture is at risk for a fat embolism. Immediately report any dyspnea, confusion, tachypnea, tachycardia, or chest pain to the provider.
Long-bone Fractures
A patient who experienced a long-bone fracture is at risk for a fat embolism. Immediately report any dyspnea, confusion, tachypnea, tachycardia, or chest pain to the provider.
Authoritarian vs. Authoritative Parenting
Authoritarian parents are those who are strict and require high control but offer little warmth. Authoritative parents have moderate-high control, but offer high amounts of warmth.
Authoritarian vs. Authoritative Parenting
Authoritarian parents are those who are strict and require high control but offer little warmth. Authoritative parents have moderate-high control, but offer high amounts of warmth.
Oxybutynin
Because oxybutynin is used to treat overactive bladder by inhibiting acetylcholine in the bladder, assess for anticholinergic symptoms. These include dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and blurred vision.
Oxybutynin
Because oxybutynin is used to treat overactive bladder by inhibiting acetylcholine in the bladder, assess for anticholinergic symptoms. These include dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and blurred vision.
Appendicitis: Nursing Care
A patient with appendicitis is likely to have RLQ pain at McBurney's Point along with rebound tenderness, nausea/vomiting, and fever.
Appendicitis: Nursing Care
A patient with appendicitis is likely to have RLQ pain at McBurney's Point along with rebound tenderness, nausea/vomiting, and fever.
Hemodialysis: Patient Teaching
A patient undergoing hemodialysis may have an arteriovenous fistula in the arm. Educate patient that blood pressures, IVs, and blood draws must be done from the arm without the shunt....
Hemodialysis: Patient Teaching
A patient undergoing hemodialysis may have an arteriovenous fistula in the arm. Educate patient that blood pressures, IVs, and blood draws must be done from the arm without the shunt....
Corticosteroids: Patient Teaching
Patients taking corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, hydrocortisone) are at increased risk of infection. Monitor for signs of infection, and educate patients taking these medications to avoid crowded areas and perform frequent...
Corticosteroids: Patient Teaching
Patients taking corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, hydrocortisone) are at increased risk of infection. Monitor for signs of infection, and educate patients taking these medications to avoid crowded areas and perform frequent...
Providing Educational Materials to Patients
Written educational materials should be provided in the patient's primary language using layman's terms and an appropriate reading level.
Providing Educational Materials to Patients
Written educational materials should be provided in the patient's primary language using layman's terms and an appropriate reading level.
Performing a Snellen Exam
When performing a Snellen exam for visual acuity, an adult should stand 20 feet away from the chart, but a child should stand 10 feet from the chart.
Performing a Snellen Exam
When performing a Snellen exam for visual acuity, an adult should stand 20 feet away from the chart, but a child should stand 10 feet from the chart.
Metformin
Because of the unpleasant GI side effects of metformin, educate patients to take this medication with a meal.
Metformin
Because of the unpleasant GI side effects of metformin, educate patients to take this medication with a meal.
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is needed to prevent neural tube defects in a developing fetus.
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is needed to prevent neural tube defects in a developing fetus.
Status Asthmaticus
A patient with asthma who is experiencing airway obstruction unresponsive to usual therapy is experiencing status asthmaticus. Administer oxygen and prepare for emergency intubation!
Status Asthmaticus
A patient with asthma who is experiencing airway obstruction unresponsive to usual therapy is experiencing status asthmaticus. Administer oxygen and prepare for emergency intubation!
The Scoop Method
Avoid recapping needles to prevent sharps injury. If recapping is unavoidable, use the scoop method to minimize the risk of injury.
The Scoop Method
Avoid recapping needles to prevent sharps injury. If recapping is unavoidable, use the scoop method to minimize the risk of injury.
Appendicitis: Family Teaching
When caring for a child with appendicitis, report to the provider any sudden relief of pain. This may indicate that the appendix has perforated and requires emergency surgery!
Appendicitis: Family Teaching
When caring for a child with appendicitis, report to the provider any sudden relief of pain. This may indicate that the appendix has perforated and requires emergency surgery!
Varicose Veins: Patient Teaching
A patient who experiences prolonged standing (like nurses!) is at risk for developing varicose veins. Educate patients with this risk factor to wear compression stockings and elevate the legs when...
Varicose Veins: Patient Teaching
A patient who experiences prolonged standing (like nurses!) is at risk for developing varicose veins. Educate patients with this risk factor to wear compression stockings and elevate the legs when...
Digoxin and Hypokalemia
Because hypokalemia increases a patient's risk of digoxin toxicity, be sure to closely monitor the potassium levels for patients taking digoxin!
Digoxin and Hypokalemia
Because hypokalemia increases a patient's risk of digoxin toxicity, be sure to closely monitor the potassium levels for patients taking digoxin!
Enemas: Nursing Care
Patients receiving enemas may report cramping. Lower the solution container if cramping is reported.
Enemas: Nursing Care
Patients receiving enemas may report cramping. Lower the solution container if cramping is reported.
Cushing's Syndrome: Nursing Care
With Cushing's Syndrome, restrict fluid and sodium but increase the patient's intake of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
Cushing's Syndrome: Nursing Care
With Cushing's Syndrome, restrict fluid and sodium but increase the patient's intake of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
Loss of Central Vision
A patient reporting a loss of central vision should be evaluated for macular degeneration.
Loss of Central Vision
A patient reporting a loss of central vision should be evaluated for macular degeneration.
Atropine
Atropine is a medication that can be administered to patients with sinus bradycardia or heart block in order to increase heart rate.
Atropine
Atropine is a medication that can be administered to patients with sinus bradycardia or heart block in order to increase heart rate.
Car Seat Safety for Newborns
Car seat safety for newborns includes installing the car seat in the back/middle seat, using a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness until at least age 2, installing the seat...
Car Seat Safety for Newborns
Car seat safety for newborns includes installing the car seat in the back/middle seat, using a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness until at least age 2, installing the seat...
Crutches: Patient Teaching
A patient using crutches should be taught to ascend stairs leading with the strong leg and descend by leading with the weaker leg.
Crutches: Patient Teaching
A patient using crutches should be taught to ascend stairs leading with the strong leg and descend by leading with the weaker leg.
Assessing Skin Lesions with ABCDE
Assess any skin lesions for potential cancerous changes using ABCDE.
Assessing Skin Lesions with ABCDE
Assess any skin lesions for potential cancerous changes using ABCDE.
Pheochromocytoma in Children
When caring for a child with pheochromocytoma, be sure not to palpate the abdomen. Palpation can cause a sudden release of catecholamines, triggering severe hypertension!
Pheochromocytoma in Children
When caring for a child with pheochromocytoma, be sure not to palpate the abdomen. Palpation can cause a sudden release of catecholamines, triggering severe hypertension!
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pumps
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pumps should only be used by the patient. Educate families/visitors not to press the button for the patient!
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pumps
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pumps should only be used by the patient. Educate families/visitors not to press the button for the patient!
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